Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Old Trafford after our 2-0 loss against Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Here's what he had to say...
What did you make of the red card?
Thomas: “First, I think we started the first 30 minutes well. I think it was a good away performance, very even against a Man United team in flow and playing with confidence. So, happy with that. Of course, the red card changed the momentum. I'm very proud of the players in general, but I'm proud of them in the last 60-plus, whatever, 10 injury minutes. How they showed resilience, stayed in the game, didn't crumble, kept fighting and still created some moments where we could have created that goal. Then, of course, when we did the three positive subs with 15-20 minutes to go, they scored straight after. The red card is a red card. I watched it now about five times. Cuti clearly tried to go for the ball, thought he'd just moved before and then it was a red card.”
How do you take any recklessness out of Cuti’s game while keeping the aggression?
Thomas: “I think if you look at how many red cards he has had, it's not like he had that many throughout his career. You play with passion and you play with aggression and there's a fine line when did you do that.”
Is Destiny Udogie’s injury a hamstring issue?
Thomas: “We will assess him tomorrow. So, of course, I will probably see you (media) guys in two days' time or less and then we'll know more. We'll assess him tomorrow.”
Do you have any regret in making Cristian captain?
Thomas: “No, there's not. Also, he said he was sorry for the incident, apologised to his team-mates in the changing room. No, I think he's one of the most important players and I think when he performs top, he’s driving the team.”
With respect, if he gets sent off after 28 minutes at Old Trafford, he’s not helping you, might it be better to give someone else the armband?
Thomas: “I think it's fair to say I don't think he had any intention to get a red card after 28 minutes.”
Maybe that makes it worse if he doesn't know what he's doing…
Thomas: “I think that's your perception.”
So, you're not going to consider at least maybe taking the armband from him?
Thomas: “No.”
With the red card and injuries piling up, how do you keep the team motivated and tell them that the corner is going to turn?
Thomas: “I'm very happy with the players and what they're showing, I think they actually show a lot of resilience because it's very, very tough to get out there every week and don't get enough of the good results. We can't run away from that - we haven't won enough in the Premier League. We're just coming on the back end of four good games where we also showed a lot of resilience. Before that, we also did it, but we didn't get enough of the results when we turned around in the second half. So, I think there's still a lot to hang the hat on in terms of resilience but the performances need to be backed up with a little bit, do more, and get a little, keep doing the right things because then the results will show.”
I know you sometimes speak about you need to get sugar at the end of the hard work. Do you and the players need enough sugar to keep going?
Thomas: “I think there's no other alternative than keep going. I think that's fair to say, which we will do, of course, but it's in life and football, there's very tough times. In the very tough times, head up, head down, stand up, face it, keep going. There's no other way. That's what the players are doing. They show it every single week. The good thing is, I think, actually, as I said, there was Dortmund, Frankfurt, two good performances and results. In the second half, very good against City. There was more good and positives against Burnley, I know we wanted to win. I think the resilience the players showed today in terms of, you know, where it's so easy to crumble, so easy to go out there and lose 5-0. They stayed in the game throughout, had a chance to come back into it. So, I think they show a lot.”
You're having to sit here and defend Cristian, which you have. What has he said to you? Because he's let you down…
Thomas: “We haven't spoken specifically about the situation because he apologised to the players, to us, to the players, to the team in there. That's enough for me for now. That’s it, nothing more to do now.”
So, he can't play for you now in the league until the middle of March - given the number of absentees you've got, that's not helping the situation at all, is it?
Thomas: “No, it isn’t.”