HEAVEN SCENT
Ten Hag: The players are really up for the derby, I can smell it. They’ve got the passion & the desire
ERIK TEN HAG says he can “smell” the desire among his Manchester United players to make a statement in Sunday’s derby showdown.
Manchester City are overwhelming favourites to beat United at the Etihad, and remain on course for an unprecedented fourth straight league title.
Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners put six past Luton in midweek to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, while United needed an 89th-minute winner to limp past Nottingham Forest.
City are on a familiar 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions, including 16 wins, but United’s minirevival came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham last weekend.
Ten Hag’s side are currently down in sixth place – eight points off fourth spot – with their prospects of securing Champions League football looking increasingly remote.
Despite their wretched season, which has seen them slump to 15 defeats in 37 games, Ten Hag claimed he can sense a desire among his players to stage a major upset by beating City.
“We have done well before against City and also lately against Liverpool, so we will prepare well,” he said.
“The players are ready for it and looking forward to it. I can smell it.
“I’m around here and speak with the players, so we’re really looking forward to it and excited.
“That passion, desire and determination, that is the base, but definitely when you go into the game on Sunday.
“We’re on a good run. This period is very good, we are
united. We are together and we will make a good game plan.”
Last season saw United swept aside 6-3 at City, although they won the return fixture at Old Trafford 2-1, which included a controversial equaliser from Bruno Fernandes.
City reasserted their superiority with a convincing 3-0 win at Old Trafford earlier
this season, but Ten Hag said his players have nothing to fear from their rivals, despite their clear superiority.
He said: “They have a good team, but there are more good teams. They won last season, but we know and that is the challenge.
“But also Liverpool are a very good team. We like the challenge and we’re looking forward to the challenge with
them. We want to win every game. That is always our mentality and our approach in every game.
“It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, you always want to play against the best. Most
We’re on a good run, we’re together and we’ll make a good game-plan
of the time we feel – and you can also see it – the opposition get the best outputs against Manchester United.
“Maybe this game is the other way round, but we know we have to give everything and show a team performance if we want to get the result. But if you do it, it’s possible.
“That’s also what the
opposition show at this moment against City.
“We had the opportunity to win one time against City and you need a great day.
“That is also what we know, so the players have to give the best performances.”
Asked whether this weekend could turn out to be a defining one in terms of United’s pursuit of a top-four place, Ten Hag said: “No, because there are many more games to play. We’re in the FA Cup, in a great game.
“After City, there are many more games and we know we have to catch up and to get into the right position.”