Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag took questions from the media on Thursday afternoon.
United drew 1-1 with Burnley last weekend and that disappointing result confirmed qualifying for the Champions League next season is now mathematically impossible.
The Reds have regressed and have the task of fighting for Europa League qualification before they attempt to salvage the campaign by lifting the FA Cup against Manchester City. United must build momentum ahead of the FA Cup final at Wembley, but Selhurst Park is a tricky stadium to visit and Palace have enjoyed a turnaround in fortunes.
Ten Hag looked ahead to that game, gave an update on the team news and was asked about Jadon Sancho after his performance against Paris Saint-Germain.
He was also asked about summer transfers, with United willing to entertain offers for all of their players, apart from four.
Recap every word from Carrington.
Ten Hag gives intriguing Sancho reconciliation verdict
Erik ten Hag said Jadon Sancho's form on loan at Borussia Dortmund is a win-win situation for United.
Sancho has not played for his parent club since August 26 as he was banished by Ten Hag for publicly accusing him of lying over his omission from the matchday squad against Arsenal in September.
Dortmund re-signed Sancho on loan for €3.5million rising to €7.5m in January and he excelled in their Champions League semi-final first leg win over Paris Saint-Germain.
United bought Sancho for £72.9m in 2021 and a fee of at least £30m would be demanded in compliance with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules.
Sancho's refusal to apologise ensured he trained away from the first team and had to prepare for sessions in the academy building at United's Carrington training complex but Ten Hag suggested the door was ajar for reconciliation.
"So let's say this: yesterday he played very good and I already talked about, he's a very good player," Ten Hag said. "Yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed also he represents a high value for Manchester United, which is good.
"So I'm happy. I'm happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday and we'll see what is going to happen in the future."
Jason Wilcox started as the United technical director two weeks ago and met Ten Hag for the first time last week. With the summer transfer window looming, Ten Hag said he is developing an "intense" relationship with the former Southampton director of football.
"We talk every day from now," Ten Hag added, "from last week. In a very shport period, we have to build an intense relationship, we are working on it now to a plan.
"We had a plan already before he stepped in but of course, we have to get aligned. It takes time but at the same time, we don't have so much time."
United have a new injury doubt ahead of Palace
Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for United's Premier League fixture away to Crystal Palace on Monday.
Fernandes has never missed a United match through injury but he suffered an issue during the 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday.
Scott McTominay has not trained all week due to a hyperextension of his knee but is scheduled to be involved in United's session on Saturday after their day off on Friday.
"Scott didn't train so far this week but I expect him back in training on Saturday and we have to see if he is 100% available or for a part of the game," said United boss Erik Ten Hag in his press conference on Thursday.
"Also, after the game (vs Burnley), we had an issue with Bruno. So he is a doubt for Monday but he will fight to get for this game. We all know Bruno, never rule him out for any game. He will do his best to be available.
"Jonny Evans returned today for team training. Tomorrow we are off and then we have two days until the game. Martial was partly in team training."
Marcus Rashford is also set to be unavailable for the third game running after he hobbled off in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City.
"I can't tell," Ten Hag said of Rashford. "So it was last week, after Coventry, his issue hasn't healed so far."
Ten Hag on Rashford
"I can't tell. So it was last week, after Coventry, his issue hasn't healed so far."
Another squad overhaul?
"It's a joke. As long as I've worked, every summer, every window, 200 players getting intrerest from Manchester United, we did some research and also every summer we sell all of the players in our squad, which you make all of the headlines and that takes responsibility how you make such a headline. Find a good source if there is some truth in it..."
Ten Hag on Europa League
"Definitely it will have an impact on the budget but I'm sure Manchester United is a very attractive team and club to play for. Many players will be very happy to play for Manchester United, I'm sure."
Ten Hag on top six/seven
"Of course, it's imporant but we have two opportunities. One in the league and one in the FA Cup final."
Ten Hag on the challenges he faces
"Always a lot of work, it sounds a little bit like, it's normal. But when you go into a transfer window but the injuries had a big impact. We know also we are still below the levels from the expectations Manchester United has so we have to catch up and I'm now going into my fifth window, two windows quite okay, two we missed, we have to make new improvements to the squad. But there is a base of this squad that is very good."
Ten Hag on Wilcox
I didn't say I had a chance. We talk every day from now, from last week. In a very short period we have to build an intense relationship, we are working now to a plan, we had a plan already before he stepped in and of course we have to get aligned. It takes time but we don't have so much time."
Ten Hag on Sancho
"So let's say this: yesterday he played very good and he's a very good player, yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for Manchester United. Which is good. I'm happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday and we'll see what is going to happen in the future."
Ten Hag gives injury update
"Scott didn't train so far this week but I expect him back in training on Saturday and we have to see if he's 100% available or for a part of the game. After the game (vs Burnley), we had an issue with Bruno. He is a doubt for Monday, we all know Bruno, never rule him out for any game. He will do his best to be available. Jonny Evans returned today for team training. Tomorrow we are off and then two days until the game. Martial was partly in team training."
Ten Hag is late for today's press conference
He was due to speak at 1.15pm but still hasn't arrived and is running late.
What time will Ten Hag speak?
We'll bring you updates from Ten Hag from 1.30pm - so stay tuned for his every word.
United prepared to sell players they would prefer to keep
The Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules have forced United to consider selling players they would prefer to keep.
United are realistic about the market for certain sellable assets in their squad and concede there are unlikely to be many takers for other players who have become peripheral at the club.
Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both out of contract next year, will be allowed to leave for acceptable fees and United are open to offers for the majority of their squad members.
United's stance is slightly similar to last year when they reiterated they were content to keep Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay but were also open to offers for both players.
West Ham United had a £30million offer accepted for Maguire and a £30m bid rejected for McTominay. Maguire did not leave as United failed to stump up an agreeable offer to recompense for what would have been a shortfall in wages.
Maguire and McTominay have been two of a handful of respectable performers at United this season but they are approaching the final year of their contracts. United have the option of an additional year in the deals of both players
Read more here.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to today's Erik ten Hag live press conference blog. The Dutchman will speak ahead of Monday's match against Crystal Palace and take questions from journalists on a range of questions, from Sancho, team news and perhaps his own future.
Stay tuned as we build up to the press conference and bring you Ten Hag's every word.
