Erik ten Hag press conference IN FULL: Under-fire Manchester United boss addresses Ratcliffe investment and defends style of play ahead of Fulham clash

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag came out fighting in his pre-match press conference ahead of their game against Fulham.

The Dutchman is under mounting pressure at Old Trafford having lost successive home games 3-0 in the space of three days.

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United shipped three without reply in the Manchester derby to rivals Man City last Sunday.

The club then suffered the same result against a weakened Newcastle as they failed to defend their Carabao Cup title.

United now head to west London to take on Fulham this weekend looking to salvage their faltering season.

Ahead of the game, Ten Hag reflected on a number of key issues and here is every word from this afternoon's press conference.

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On team news

"[Raphael] Varane is ready to play, he will travel with the squad.

"Victor Lindelof has some illness and we'll have to see if he's ready for tomorrow."

On the character in the squad

"Remember the fight we showed against Brentford, If there wasn't spirit of characters in the dressing room, you couldn't do this."

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On his style of play

"I came here with my philosophy, based on possession, but also to combine it with the DNA of Man United, but also with the players and their character. We combind it last year and we played very good football last season.

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"I want to play from the back and we try that in every game, but like against Man City, if they are good at pressing, it's a good option to go direct.

"We want to press, then go direct, because we have the players who are very good at it."

On criticism of his style of play

"I don't want to say that. That's too strong. The intention is clear, but the execution isn't there.

"In the moment we're in, with so many changes, we can't line up the same game each time and we have to swap.

"We miss players in the back four and every time we have to adjust, which doesn't help the routines."

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On the mood amongst the players

"They [players] are positive. They want to put this right and we know the standards here.

"We have to match them every day, we've had two big setbacks, but we'll fight back.

"The dressing room is strong, the staff are strong and this manager is strong."

On whether Fulham is a must-win game

"I never think of such scenarios - we have to win every game.

"We prepare very good and I'm sure the players are ready tomorrow to execute the plan."

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On incoming investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe

"I have a good squad. I'm convinced about the players in the dressing room. We saw these players last year, they can do a lot better, but that's up to me to let them play better.

"I have to take the responsibility to make them play better and I will put every effort in to get this done.

"I'm not thinking about transfer windows because I have a good squad."

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On United being hard to beat

"I think the players are hard to beat. In this moment, obviously with such two defeats, we didn't show it.

"But I'm convinced in the long-term, they will be hard to beat and they know how to do it."