Erik ten Hag explains why Man Utd have a ‘good chance’ of beating Man City in Sunday’s derby

Erik ten Hag has said if Manchester United can ‘fight together’ then his side will have a ‘good chance’ of winning Sunday’s Manchester derby.

The Red Devils face Manchester City for the first time since the FA Cup final at the end of last season, and will hope to build on their three-match winning run in all competitions. Victories over Brentford, Sheffield United and Copenhagen have brought some tentative signs of hope to an underwhelming campaign so far for United.

In the Brentford win, the Red Devils came from two goals down to grab a crucial three points, while improved second-half displays at Bramall Lane and on Tuesday in the Champions League allowed United to limit the opposition’s goalscoring opportunities, and hold on for important victories.

Ten Hag claimed the performance against Copenhagen showed a sense of togetherness in the squad, which will need to be repeated at Old Trafford on Sunday if United are to overcome City.

“There is a great spirit and they are together and that's important, always as a team,” the Dutchman said after Harry Maguire’s second-half header resulted in a 1-0 Champions League win. 

“The team is more than the sum of the individuals. That is what we have to take into the Manchester derby to be on one page and then fight together and then we have a very good chance to get a result and even to win the game.

“You see there is a very good spirit in the dressing room,” he added. “They are together, they fight together and celebrate together. If they have setbacks, they support each other. That spirit is always needed to be a successful team.”

Ten Hag beat Pep Guardiola at Old Trafford last season, but lost 6-3 at the Etihad, as well as that disappointing 2-1 loss at Wembley in June.