Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he has a long-term plan to build a culture and to develop players at the club.

Manchester United appointed Ten Hag in April 2022 to succeed interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

The team has the chance to win their first trophy since 2017 when they face Newcastle United in the League Cup final on February 26.

“I always think about the long term, in every club where I was, I have been thinking about long-term work to build a culture, to build a way of playing, to develop the players and the team, obviously,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“I think in the long term obviously in contracts and in (transfer) windows because I think that is the (right) way. I am not here for one year, I am (here for) longer, I see it is a long-term project to build here,” he added.

Ten Hag confirmed Brazilian Antony is injured but did not divulge much more. “I don’t know,”

Ten Hag said when asked how long the Brazilian will be out.

“I don’t think it is a long time but we have to see how it develops in the coming days. It is in his leg, but I can’t specify. You will understand that.”

Buzz over Lloris

Tottenham Hotspur could be without their goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris for up to eight weeks after he was injured in Sunday’s Premier League win over Manchester City.

According to media reports on Wednesday, the 36-year-old Frenchman injured his knee ligaments and while he does not require surgery he faces a lengthy lay-off.

Fraser Forster is Lloris’s back-up and looks set to have an extended run in the side having made only one league appearance since joining on a free transfer.

Lloris’s injury would be a blow to Tottenham who are fifth in the league, face a last-16 Champions League tie against AC Milan and are also in the fifth round of the FA Cup.