Ten Hag keeps focus on Manchester United display and not Haaland threat

Erik ten Hag has spoken to Jadon Sancho about the threat posed by his former Dortmund teammate, Erling Haaland. Photograph: Matt McNulty/Manchester City/Manchester City FC/Getty Images

As Erik ten Hag plots what would be a significant derby victory – for Manchester United’s development and possibly the Premier League title race – he is intent his players do not focus solely on the threat posed by Erling Haaland.

But his views about the striker’s qualities are instructive. “I like his attitude. How he is on the pitch,” the United manager says. “He’s direct, his life is about goals – he goes direct toward the opponent. He can also create but [while] I respect him, we are not playing against Haaland, we are playing against Man City, but it is not about Man City. I respect the opponent but it is about Man United.”