SUMMARY
- The match between Manchester City and Manchester United is set to take place on March 3, 2024.
- Before the match, Erik ten Hag said something about his team's approach.
The Manchester Derby has always had a tremendous amount of significance in the history of English soccer. The much-anticipated clash between Manchester City and Manchester United has always caught worldwide attention among fans. This time around, United is led by Erik ten Hag, whereas Pep Guardiola remains in charge of City.
Before the kick-off, Manchester United’s boss, Erik ten Hag, had something to say about his team’s approach. Keeping in mind his opponent, Manchester City, the 54-year-old asserted in his pre-match conference, “You can always learn from opponents who are successful”. The manager insisted that one must do that if they “want to go to higher levels”.
🔴 Ten Hag: “You can always learn from opponents who are successful – you have to do that if you want to go to higher levels”.
“But at the same time we have to do it in the Man United way”.
“This is a different club, with a different environment and with a different DNA”. pic.twitter.com/UZW9ywAbB0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 3, 2024
Progressing ahead, ten Hag inserted, “But at the same time we have to do it in the Manchester United way”. Believing in his team’s identity, he reflected, “This is a different club, with a different environment and with a different DNA”. From his statements, it seems like, the Dutch manager is backing his side’s ability to match up against Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City challenge awaits Erik ten Hag’s shaky Manchester United
Fresh from a 6-2 thumping of Luton Town FC in the FA Cup fifth round, Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City seems eager to extend their Premier League title charge. The hosts await arch-rivals Manchester United in a much-anticipated Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium on March 3, 2024.
💽 Ready to rock and roll 💽 @ManCity 🆚 @ManUtd coming right up… pic.twitter.com/ZFzKdCVkv4
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 3, 2024
However, Erik ten Hag’s United also won their FA Cup knockout clash against Nottingham Forest, but only marginally by a 0-1 scoreline. Before that, they suffered a shocking defeat against fellow league rivals Fulham at the home ground of Old Trafford.
The Red Devils looked so shaky on and off the ball. It seemed like the players just weren’t up to the game’s pace. However, if Erik ten Hag wants his team to compete against Manchester City, he would have to make sure that the players do the basics right and keep their intensity throughout the entire spell of the game.
Erik ten Hag is confident of a ‘win’ despite his job on the line
After the defeat against Fulham in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag is under pressure to deliver results at Manchester United. The veteran Dutch manager might face scrutiny over his managerial role at the club if United loses to City or doesn’t perform on the expected front.
Erik ten Hag on Man City: “I have a lot of respect for them, but not the respect that we think we can’t win this game. On the contrary, we will show we can win this game.” #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) March 2, 2024
However, the 54-year-old seemed optimistic about the Red Devils’ chances of getting a positive result against Manchester City. He reportedly stated, “I have a lot of respect for them, but not the respect that we think we can’t win this game”. “On the contrary, we will show we can win this game,” the United boss further mentioned.
Despite going in with a positive frame of mind in a big game like this, ten Hag would be well aware of the fact that it would be a tough outing for his team against the title contenders, Manchester City. However, with the unpredictable nature of Manchester United, this would be an interesting derby to watch out for.