Manchester United facing City, not just Haaland - Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag praised Erling Haaland’s goal scoring instincts but stressed that Manchester United will not focus solely on the Norwegian striker when it takes on Manchester City in a Premier League derby clash.

Published : Oct 02, 2022 11:52 IST

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. (File Photo)
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. (File Photo) | Photo Credit: AP
infoIcon

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. (File Photo) | Photo Credit: AP

Erik ten Hag praised Erling Haaland’s goal scoring instincts but stressed that Manchester United will not focus solely on the Norwegian striker when it takes on Manchester City in a Premier League derby clash.

Later on Sunday, United has the formidable task of containing Haaland, who has made a blistering start to his City career with 11 league goals in seven games since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the close season.

When asked if he had discussed Haaland with the striker’s former Dortmund team mate Jadon Sancho, who now plays for United, Ten Hag told reporters, “of course when you have a player who played in the past with a player, you ask him.”

“I also think it is our job in advance to analyse as a team and if individual players have huge contribution to the result, we have to do our job and that is what I am doing with my staff and players because they can give us more details,” Ten Hag added.

“I like Haaland’s attitude. How he is on the pitch. He is direct, his life is about goals and he is direct to the goal of the opponent.

“He can also create goals, but once again, I respect him, but for us on Sunday we are not playing against Haaland, we are playing against Man City and for us, it’s not about Man City. It is about us and them being an opponent.”

United, who is sixth in the league standings, travels to face second-placed City. 

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment