‘We don’t’ - What Erik ten Hag said about Man Utd after Erling Haaland question

Erik ten Hag has played down the Erling Haaland factor ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Manchester United return to action this weekend when they face a short trip to take on Manchester City.

Ten Hag’s men have gone four weeks without a Premier League game due to the international break and the postponements that preceded it.

But they were in good form before the pause in club, and amid a fresh sense of optimism for this season, it will be a test of the Red Devils’ credentials against an excellent City side.

Pep Guardiola’s men remain unbeaten after seven league games, and their new star striker Haaland has adapted quickly to life in England’s football.

The Norwegian has already scored 11 goals in the Premier League, and stopping him will be a huge task for United’s defence.

But while Ten Hag surely has a game plan in place for dealing with Haaland, the striker is not his sole focus heading into the derby.

“We don’t play against Haaland, we play against Manchester City,” said the United boss in his pre-match press conference.

“They have more than 11 players, and we do to. We are confident with our ability, and if we work as a team, in and out of possession, we can beat the opponents.”

Asked how he plans to stop City as a whole, Ten Hag said: “We look to ourselves. Of course, we want to win every game, and that message I have already said many times.

“The aim on Sunday is nothing else. We have to perform our best. We have to do our best with our way, our principles.

“We make a game plan, but it’s about the execution. If we want a result, we have to be 100%.

“I played many derbies. I know what derbies are, what rivals are, and what they are doing with each other. I know it’s the most important game here, with the fans. You want to be involved in these games. It gives you fight and energy.”