Erik ten Hag exclusive: Man Utd boss talks Marcus Rashford, Pep Guardiola, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo | Football News

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

“That is the most important, the entire world might be taking a look at us,” he tells Sky Sports activities Information. “It’s a large occasion.”

If there have been nonetheless any United followers frightened Ten Hag won’t totally recognize the magnitude of the Manchester derby, he sought to ease their fears. “Count on a workforce that’s well-prepared,” he says, “a workforce that has the proper spirit and struggle to battle the opponent and a workforce that has just one perception to win that sport.”

You get the sense he is aware of what’s coming however what concerning the new signings, Antony and Lisandro Martinez, who haven’t skilled this fixture? “Do not be frightened, they understand how massive this sport is,” Ten Hag insists.

Sunday 2nd October 1:00pm


Kick off 2:00pm

“What is nice for them is their strategy in each sport is to battle, to offer every little thing, 100 per cent just isn’t sufficient and you’ll make certain that they are going to deliver extra on the pitch. However not solely them, all of the gamers, they’re conscious of the significance of this sport.”

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. These victories over Liverpool and Arsenal would have seen the arrogance surge and instil a perception that United have big-game gamers.

Rashford’s rejuvenation beneath Ten Hag

Eleven-goal Erling Haaland – and the right way to cease him – has been the main target of the build-up, however Ten Hag has his personal trick up his sleeve, with Marcus Rashford doubtlessly set to make a well timed return from harm.

“It was fairly clear from day one he was gifted and I am so excited to work with him,” provides Ten Hag. “I knew already earlier than what a huge effect he might have, he has the potential. I do know he brings it each sport and in each resolution on the pitch. I am actually joyful along with his growth and I count on him to maintain going. We’re fairly constructive about him enjoying. We’ve got to attend and see the response of coaching.”

Rashford seems rejuvenated beneath Ten Hag following his targets in opposition to Liverpool and Arsenal and September’s Participant and Supervisor of the Month have each loved the method of nurturing his expertise.

“I advised him I wish to see you smiling every single day,” Ten Hag says of Rashford. “We put together good coaching periods, after which it is as much as you to offer your finest. When you might have pleasure, whenever you benefit from the coaching, you may give your finest, and you’ll enhance and your efficiency will go up.”

Ten Hag ‘satisfied’ Maguire will struggle again

Whereas Rashford’s harm compelled him to overlook England’s video games with Italy and Germany, loads of his team-mates have been scattered across the globe in motion for his or her nations. Ten Hag had loads to be constructive 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 have been each on the scoresheet for Portugal. Not for the primary time, although, he was additionally having to area questions on his captain Harry Maguire, who endured one other troublesome week.

However how can Ten Hag assist him?

“By backing him,” says the United supervisor, “I consider in his potential and I inform him I consider within the participant and the individual. I am certain he does [still believe in himself]. I am satisfied he’ll struggle again.

“He is conscious of his nice capabilities, and he’ll return. You understand, as a defender whenever you make one mistake, you get hammered for that mistake. That’s high soccer as a result of there are good opponents and good attackers.”

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

“If anybody can take care of that then it’s Cristiano Ronaldo as a result of his complete profession they have a look at him, the entire world is taking a look at him and the entire world has excessive expectations of him. I am certain he’ll come again as a result of he has spent his complete profession scoring, and he’ll do it this yr as properly, after which I believe then everybody might be silent.”

Ronaldo might begin his first Premier League sport in over seven weeks if Rashford and Anthony Martial fail to go late health exams. However does Ten Hag consider he can ship on Sunday? “Each confidence,” he insists: “Sure, each confidence due to his profile and his persona is and, sure, he can ship.”

Dinner date with Pep

Eight years on from working alongside Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, Ten Hag might be reunited along with his mentor on Sunday afternoon. Ten Hag stated it was like profitable the lottery when the chance arose to work with Guardiola.

“I believe for my growth as a supervisor, it was actually good to be there because the U23 coach,” says Ten Hag. “The workforce in an enormous membership, in a membership with an important mentality born out of a very good philosophy and naturally there was Pep Guardiola driving change in German soccer, completely.

“In that setting I discovered quite a bit. I am actually grateful for the chance he gave me to take a look inside his work. He did nice issues in soccer, not solely in amassing all of the prizes however the best way he did it. I actually admire that.”

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

Maintaining Haaland quiet

A lot of that may rely upon protecting Haaland quiet. The 22-year-old striker is searching for his third consecutive hat-trick at residence and is in scintillating type. However Ten Hag and Martinez have masterminded that earlier than when Ajax beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 away within the Champions League final season.

“I believe the strategy we took in that sport was good. However neglect the previous, we glance to the longer term,” Ten Hag stated.

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 did not do it by himself,” says Ten Hag.” I do not count on that from him, we now have to do it as a workforce.” 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.