Erik ten Hag unique: Man Utd boss talks Marcus Rashford, Pep Guardiola, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo

Erik ten Hag has already handed two blockbuster Premier League assessments in Liverpool and Arsenal, however the Manchester United supervisor put it greatest himself as his aspect will get prepared for the problem of their fiercest rivals on Sunday afternoon. 

“This is the biggest, the whole world will be looking at us,” he tells Sky Sports News. “It is a huge event.”

If there have been nonetheless any United followers frightened Ten Hag won’t totally respect the magnitude of the Manchester derby, he sought to ease their fears. “Expect a team that is well-prepared,” he says, “a team that has the right spirit and fight to battle the opponent and a team that has only one belief to win that game.”

You get the sense he is aware of what’s coming however what in regards to the new signings, Antony and Lisandro Martinez, who haven’t skilled this fixture? “Don’t be worried, they know how big this game is,” Ten Hag insists.

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“What is good for them is their approach in every game is to battle, to give everything, 100 per cent is not enough and you can be sure that they will bring more on the pitch. But not only them, all the players, they are aware of the importance of this game.”

This United squad have already proven their resilience. Defeat to Brighton and a thumping by Brentford of their first two video games feels a very long time in the past. Those victories over Liverpool and Arsenal would have seen the boldness surge and instil a perception that United have big-game gamers.

Rashford’s rejuvenation below Ten Hag

Eleven-goal Erling Haaland – and find out how to cease him – has been the main focus of the build-up, however Ten Hag has his personal trick up his sleeve, with Marcus Rashford probably set to make a well timed return from damage.

“It was quite clear from day one he was talented and I’m so excited to work with him,” provides Ten Hag. “I knew already before what a huge impact he could have, he has the potential. I know he brings it every game and in every decision on the pitch. I’m really happy with his development and I expect him to keep going. We are quite positive about him playing. We have to wait and see the reaction of training.”

Rashford seems to be rejuvenated below Ten Hag following his targets towards Liverpool and Arsenal and September’s Player and Manager of the Month have each loved the method of nurturing his expertise.

“I told him I want to see you smiling every day,” Ten Hag says of Rashford. “We prepare good training sessions, and then it’s up to you to give your best. When you have pleasure, when you enjoy the training, you can give your best, and you will improve and your performance will go up.”

Ten Hag ‘satisfied’ Maguire will combat again

While Rashford’s damage compelled him to overlook England’s video games with Italy and Germany, loads of his team-mates had been scattered across the globe in motion for his or her international locations. Ten Hag had loads to be optimistic about as he refocused his squad forward of the membership’s first Premier League sport for the reason that win over Arsenal in September.

The Dutchman was filled with reward for Luke Shaw’s efficiency for England and the likes of Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, who had been each on the scoresheet for Portugal. Not for the primary time, although, he was additionally having to subject questions on his captain Harry Maguire, who endured one other tough week.

But how can Ten Hag assist him?

“By backing him,” says the United supervisor, “I imagine in his potential and I inform him I imagine within the participant and the particular person. I’m positive he does [still believe in himself]. I’m satisfied he’ll combat again.

“He’s aware of his great capabilities, and he will return. You know, as a defender when you make one mistake, you get hammered for that mistake. That is top football because there are good opponents and good attackers.”

Maguire wasn’t the one participant who suffered a difficult time away on International responsibility – there have been calls within the Portuguese press for Cristiano Ronaldo to be dropped forward of the World Cup.

“If anyone can deal with that then it is Cristiano Ronaldo because his whole career they look at him, the whole world is looking at him and the whole world has high expectations of him. I’m sure he will come back because he has spent his whole career scoring, and he will do it this year as well, and then I think then everyone will be silent.”

Ronaldo might begin his first Premier League sport in over seven weeks if Rashford and Anthony Martial fail to cross late health assessments. But does Ten Hag imagine he can ship on Sunday? “Every confidence,” he insists: “Yes, every confidence because of his profile and his personality is and, yes, he can deliver.”

Dinner date with Pep

Eight years on from working alongside Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, Ten Hag will probably be reunited together with his mentor on Sunday afternoon. Ten Hag mentioned it was like successful the lottery when the chance arose to work with Guardiola.

“I think for my development as a manager, it was really good to be there as the U23 coach,” says Ten Hag. “The team in a big club, in a club with a great mentality born out of a good philosophy and of course there was Pep Guardiola driving change in German football, totally.

“In that surroundings I discovered loads. I’m actually grateful for the chance he gave me to take a look inside his work. He did nice issues in soccer, not solely in gathering all of the prizes however the best way he did it. I actually admire that.”

They have not managed to satisfy up but, however there’s a date within the diary for dinner regardless of the outcome on Sunday.

Keeping Haaland quiet

So a lot of that may depend upon conserving Haaland quiet. The 22-year-old striker is searching for his third consecutive hat-trick at dwelling and is in scintillating kind. But Ten Hag and Martinez have masterminded that earlier than when Ajax beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 away within the Champions League final season.

“I think the approach we took in that game was good. But forget the past, we look to the future,” Ten Hag mentioned.

Ajax had over 70 per cent possession that day, and few would count on United to have something like that on the Etihad Stadium, which is why the duel between his central defender Martinez and Haaland is so fascinating.

Can Martinez do it once more on Sunday? “He didn’t do it by himself,” says Ten Hag.” I don’t expect that from him, we have to do it as a team.” If United are to go away the Etihad with one thing then Martinez’s battle with Haaland is more likely to be the one which defines this derby.