Erik ten Hag says Manchester United need ‘a great day’ if they are to have anyb chance of beating Premier League hopefuls Man City on Sunday.
It goes without saying that United, in the middle of a campaign that has been a struggle due to form and injuries, need to be at their very best to get a result at the Etihad.
United are looking to keep their top-four hopes alive and that is why we cannot afford to lose many more matches.
Ten Hag has won one of his previous four Manchester derbies following a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford last season.
Speaking about facing City on Sunday, the manager told reporters (via Manchester Evening News): “We are also on a good run, the spirit is very good. We have done it before against City, also against Liverpool. We will prepare well. The players are looking forward to it. I can smell it. I am excited.”
The manager also spoke about our previous meetings with the Premier League champions, adding: “We did it in several ways, many ways. To be successful, from all the games, we look back, we won one time. We need a great day. It is also what we know, players need to give their best.
“We want to win every game, that is always our mentality and our approach in every game, and we always want to play against the best, so most of the time we feel, and you can also see it, that the opposition gets their best outputs against Manchester United and maybe this game is the other way around.
“We know we have to give everything and show a team performance if you want to get a result. If you do it, it is possible.”
When asked if he felt it was a season-defining match, Ten Hag said: “No. There are many more games to play. In FA Cup. After City, many more games. We have to catch up but [there are] more games to catch up and to get in the right position.”
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