WE HAVE TO BE THE NOISY NEIGHBOURS NOW

THE red side of Manchester can shut up Pep Guardiola and his side by becoming the new Noisy Neighbours, says Erik ten Hag.

Guardiola insisted, before Manchester City’s 3-0 derby romp at Old Trafford in October, that Liverpool had taken over from United as the Blues’ biggest rivals – and Ten Hag has admitted he was right to do so.

But the United boss has now challenged his team to seize the chance to take back local bragging rights when they face last season’s Treble winners at the Etihad – and to show new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the Red Devils can knock City off their perch.

The Dutchman said: “For the last decade that’s the way it has gone – and they (Pep’s words) are a fair assessment.

“But we can’t accept it. We have to bounce back, as Sir Jim says.

“We have to show ambition. We want to be the No.1 – and I think that’s a good ambition.

“Now we must have the strategies to get this done.

“What did I say when I started here? We have to show ambition, we want to be the best – that is what United stand for.

“But, at the same time, we know also where we are now.

“We’ve also seen that there are moments where we go toe-to-toe, so that’s the belief we have.

“We have to pick up those moments and we have to prove it in every game, and I think we’re able to with this squad we have, that we can go toe-to-toe with them.

“I have a lot of respect for them (City) – but not the respect that we

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can think we can’t win this game. On the contrary, we will show that we can win this game.”

United were hammered 6-3 at the Etihad last season, when both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks.

Ten Hag was unhappy to be asked whether fans should be worried about a repeat.

He said: “I never understand such questions. Last season has nothing to do with this season.

“I could also say I look back to the home game when we won, so it doesn’t make sense.”