'It is not nice to hurt something you love'

Image source, Getty Images

  • Author, Simon Stone
  • Role, Chief football news reporter

Manchester United took the unusual step of allowing visiting Dutch media to ask the first batch of questions to Erik ten Hag at his news conference earlier.

The Europa League encounter with FC Twente is clearly a big deal in the Netherlands, especially given the Eredivisie side are Ten Hag's boyhood club.

The United boss enjoyed reminiscing over FC Twente's famous Uefa Cup victory over Ipswich Town in September 1974, when Ten Hag was only four years old.

In fact, he said he recalled a 大象传媒 video of it - maybe I will have to see if it still exists.

The key point is that it will be an emotional occasion at Old Trafford for Ten Hag.

He actually wishes it wasn't happening.

"I would have preferred to play against someone else," he said. "It is not nice to hurt something you love."