Ten Hag on Casemiro's 'passion' and Manchester derby not being 'season defining'

Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the media before Sunday’s Manchester derby against against Manchester City.

Here are the key lines from the United boss:

• Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes should be available and because none of his injured players are expected to return before Sunday’s game, it is likely to be the same squad that beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
• He said Casemiro’s “passion, desire and determination is a base for a game like Sunday”.
• On his side’s chance of victory at Etihad Stadium: “Our form – we are also on a good run. The spirit is very good, we are united. Now we have to make a good gameplan. We will prepare well but our players are looking forward too it and I can smell it. I’m excited.”
• He said to beat City “you need a great day”, adding: “We know we have to give everything and show a team performance.”
• On his comments that the match officials should do more to protect Fernandes: “He’s a very passionate footballer and he’s very creative. You see opponents attacking him, especially after Saturday when he got a knock. The refereeing should protect him.”
• He said he wasn’t aware of Fulham’s TikTok video that mocks Fernandes for seemingly feigning injury but added: “If they have then it’s not right. That’s absolutely not right that a club makes such a statement. It’s out of order, it’s wrong and they should apologise for this.”
• On whether the result against City is season defining: “No. There are many more games to play. In the FA Cup and after City, many more games. We have to catch up – but there are more games to catch up and to get in the right position.”

The key lines from all of Thursday’s Premier League news conferences

Listen of BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Man City v Man Utd at 15:30 GMT on Sunday

Ten Hag on Casemiro’s ‘passion’ and Manchester derby not being ‘season defining’