UEFA Europa League Final

Ange on the 'fine line' between UEL/Premier League...

"That depends on your outlook, but I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I'm not a clown, never will be, and really disappointed you used such terminology about a person who, for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way into a position where he's leading his club out in the final of a major European competition. To suggest us not being successful means I'm a clown, I'm not really sure how to answer that question."

Ange on having beaten United three times already this season - does that bring pressure or confidence...

"Maybe because it's a final, those things aren't important. If we'd have lost all three games the question would be about pressure not having beaten them. What I do know is, and I've been in this situation a few times in my career, in the big games, even your form going into it, it doesn't matter. What matters is how the players cope with the occasion, how they cope with understanding the importance of the game, both clubs, you just don't know how players will react to such a big occasion. My role in that is to prepare the players in the best possible way, also, to prepare them for Manchester United to be at their best. If you prepare that way, go out there and play to the potential you have, you give yourselves an opportunity. I don't think it really matters what you've done before when it comes to big games. In a big, important final, everything is decided on the day."

Ange on if this will be his penultimate game - and if it matters...

"Does it matter? It doesn't, because the reality of it is that the opportunity is the same for me, and more importantly, for the club. Whatever happens beyond tomorrow is kind of irrelevant, when you think about the opportunity that exists right now, and that is to provide something special for this football club, supporters and everyone who has worked so hard, not just this year, but for the last 15 years it's been since a trophy and 41 years since a European trophy."

Ange on Richarlison...

"He's had a tough time, Richy, never had a stretch of games. That's been very tough on him, physically and emotionally. He's in a really good place now, physically, he's worked really hard. He plays with so much passion and determination. Every time he plays he gives 100%. He has quality as well, and it's great to have him in the team. He provides something different to our other attacking players. He's already made a difference for us in the Europa League, particularly in the semi-final. I'm really pleased for him, for all the difficult times he's had, he's now in a place where he's fit, available and excited to be contributing."

Ange of being the first Australian/Greek to manage in a European final...

"I'm very proud of that because it's kind of what I was saying before, for me to be in this position where I've come from... I was born in Greece, I'm a very proud Greek. My father made sure that I understood where our roots were and what it means to be Greek, and I've carried that through my whole life. I grew up in Australia, on the other side of the world where football, unfortunately, wasn't a prominent sport, but my father, he took his love of football from Greece to Australia and he worked really, really hard, as I've said before many times, my mum and my dad, they left their home country, their family, everything they knew for their kids, for me. I hold that dear to my heart. He's not with me today, but he is with me all the time. I love being Greek, I love being in Greece, it's I think where I'll retire one day, and I love that I grew up in a country in Australia where, even though football wasn't a big sport, when you grow up in Australia, you also have the attitude when it comes to sport, you'll take on anyone, it doesn't matter how big or small they are and I'm proud of my roots in both."

Ange on Heung-Min Son...

"It's massive to get Sonny back. We were a little bit worried when he picked up the injury because we just weren’t sure how long he would be out for, but he worked so hard to make sure he was back. Really pleased the other night to see him play 60 , 70 minutes and you could see his sharpness coming back. He’s just so important to the group, and he is so important as a leader. He is such an important figure at this football club and it’s a big motivation and driver for all of us, including me, to give him a trophy that his career deserves. Again, he is a guy who has come from the other side of the world. Not many players have come from Asian and stayed in the Premier League, the top league in the world, for so long and maintained that excellence. It would be great to cap that off with a trophy for him. He knows and we all know that we have still got to do the work. He’s been in this position before obviously in the Champions League final, so he has that experience, and I'm sure he will pass that onto the players."

Ange on if he's addressed his future with the players...

"No, because I think, again, that would not be really helpful with what is before us right now. I’ve said to the lads from day one, nothing is guaranteed in life, nothing is guaranteed in sport. You just need to try and make sure you take every opportunity before you. That’s what I have done my whole career. I’ve been in this position before where the big game was the last game I managed. It’s not unusual territory for me. I have always navigated it pretty well because, for me, nothing is more important than my responsibility for this football club and its fans that tomorrow me, the players, our minds is only on one thing and that is to create something special."

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