Manchester United’s preliminary preparations for the home game against City are the best in years. Erik ten Hag’s first season is proving to be a success.
There have been few moments in recent years when Manchester United’s situation could be described as balanced. However, the situation under Manchester’s local match on Saturday is that bigger question marks revolve around City.
At the beginning of the season, few people saw the possibility that United could come within a point of City’s position with a derby victory and even into the Premier League’s top fight. So harsh was the new Dutch head coach Erik ten Hag the beginning in the company. The season started with two defeats, of which the 0-4 loss to Brentford was undeniably humiliating.
However, Ten Hag has proven to be the right man to lead United towards calmer waters. The ones it has been sailing with the last time Sir Alex Ferguson’s under. Even the last bubbles were left in the background, when Cristiano Ronaldo left the club in December. Since then, United have won every match they have played. The winning streak is already eight games long.
Ten Hag has already broken club records. On Tuesday, he reached 20 wins faster than any other head coach. Of course, the sample is still small, but after 27 matches the winning percentage of 74.1 is even higher than Ferguson.
– It’s about the level of requirements. We have to live up to our standards every day. No one is bigger than the team, and it’s not just about the 11 players on the pitch, it’s about the whole staff, ten Hag said during the local match In an interview with Talksport (you will switch to another service).
Someone could read between the lines a hidden message to Ronaldo who went to Saudi Arabia. The final nail was the raucous interview given by the Portuguese, in which he practically berated the entire club.
About individual players Marcus Rashford has been the face of United’s top form. He has already scored three times as many goals as last season in total. In the past, the club has only been able to go on a goal streak of eight matches Wayne Rooney.
The decision to leave Rashford on the bench on New Year’s Eve, when he had slept through a team meeting, spoke volumes for Ten Hag’s uncompromising nature.
– He can be unstoppable with his speed and transport skills, but he can still work with his weaker foot and his main game, ten Hag described his protégé.
City, who have played erratically, are favorites in the local game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., despite United’s top form. City won their home game in the fall by no less than 6–3 Erling Haaland’s winged by a hat trick.