Erik ten Hag believes Saturday’s derby in opposition to Manchester City will present whether or not his Manchester United aspect are able to problem for the highest honours once more.
United had been crushed handily when the edges final met in October, shedding 6-3 on the Etihad having trailed 4-0 at half-time, however since then they’ve misplaced solely certainly one of 18 fixtures they usually go into the sport on an eight-game successful streak.
Victory for United would depart them one level behind City within the Premier League and solely enhance the emphasis on their journey to face league leaders Arsenal on January 22.
Ten Hag mentioned he was not serious about evaluating his aspect to City however he recognises the bar the reigning champions have set.
“Of course if you want to win trophies you have to compete with the best and Manchester City are the best so we look forward to challenging them,” he mentioned. “We will see (if there is a gap) tomorrow.”
Saturday would be the second match between Ten Hag and Guardiola, the person who was answerable for Bayern Munich when Ten Hag was teaching their reserve group between 2013 and 2015.
Ten Hag mentioned he didn’t have time to explain the whole lot he had discovered from the Catalan throughout their time collectively, however he was clearer when requested about an important factor.
“To be proactive,” he mentioned. “Football is about results but you want to do it in a certain way. To be proactive, adventurous, but also to entertain. Top football is about winning but also entertaining the fans. You play football for the fans.”
United have gained their final 9 dwelling video games in all competitions and have conceded solely 4 targets within the league at dwelling all season – two of them in a gap day defeat to Brighton.
That stingy defence has been mixed with a scientific assault wherein Marcus Rashford has seven targets in his final six appearances – although the England man could also be compelled right into a change of position on Saturday resulting from an damage doubt over Anthony Martial.
Ten Hag criticised his aspect for not being courageous sufficient after their humbling on the Etihad in early October, they usually have definitely responded.
“What does it mean to be brave?” Ten Hag mentioned. “It is a way of playing. In possession you give each other options, scanning the right moments and situations, taking the right decisions, going forward where possible and defending. Being on the front foot and being aggressive.
“As a team you act with togetherness but have the same ideas in every situation. That is what it means to be brave.”
The damage doubt over Martial, who have to be checked on Saturday morning, might go away Ten Hag wanting choices in assault, with the deal to usher in Wout Weghorst on mortgage from Burnley accomplished too late on Friday for him to be registered.
Ten Hag mentioned United might nonetheless do extra enterprise in January however he believes his squad has the depth wanted as they continue to be alive in 4 competitions.
“If we close this with Wout – we are close to finalising this – then we have an extra player and I’m really happy it is also a player for the balance of the squad we need,” he mentioned earlier than Weghorst joined.
“If there are more opportunities we will be ready for that and looking for that but it has to be the right player.
“We have the development of some players. Alejandro Garnacho is the best example but you see in the week also Kobbie Mainoo and Facundo Pellestri. We have some good talented players that are also going to fight for their minutes.
“They have to deserve it in training and compete, then we are not hesitating to play them. They have to show they can contribute to the team and can contribute to the high targets we have.”
