Football

'We are not playing against Haaland'- Erik ten Hag says Manchester United will focus on Manchester City and not just Erling Haaland

Erik ten Hag praised Erling Haaland's goal-scoring instincts but stressed that Manchester United will not focus solely on him.

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Erik ten Hag-Erling Haaland

Erik ten Hag-Erling Haaland (source: Twitter)

Manchester United is set to face Manchester United in the Premier League's "Manchester Derby" today. The Red Devils will face City's star striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 11 league goals in seven games since joining from Borussia Dortmund.

Erik ten Hag praised Haaland's goal-scoring instincts but stressed that Manchester United will not focus solely on the Norwegian striker in the Premier League derby against Manchester City.

When asked if he had spoken with Haaland's former Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho, who now plays for Manchester United, Ten Hag said, "Of course when you have a player who played in the past with a player, you ask him."

"I also think it is our job in advance to analyse as a team and if individual players have huge contribution to the result, we have to do our job and that is what I am doing with my staff and players because they can give us more details," Ten Hag added.

Erik ten Hag on Erling Haaland: I like Haaland's attitude

"I like Haaland's attitude. How he is on the pitch. He is direct, his life is about goals and he is direct to the goal of the opponent. He can also create goals, but once again, I respect him, but for us, on Sunday we are not playing against Haaland, we are playing against Man City and for us, it's not about Man City. It is about us and them being an opponent," Ten Hag continued.
United, who are sixth in the league standings, travel to face second-placed City. After a slow start to the season, United now has some real momentum after four consecutive league wins. They will be looking to continue their winning streak after a nearly month-long absence from Premier League action.
The results of the last ten meetings between the two rivals have been fairly evenly distributed. City has won five of the last ten meetings, while United has won four, with City winning the most recent meeting 4-1.
Erik ten Hag Premier League Erling Haaland