Erik ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has played down their title chances despite moving to within a point of second-placed Manchester City.

But it's also top football, the small details have a big impact and we have to keep working on that and keep investing in that." "The fans may dream but we're not," Ten Hag said. "We have to keep our feet on the ground and then face that our game has a lot to improve."

Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford sealed a comeback win for Man Utd over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday; United up to third in the ...

In top football small details have a big impact and we have to keep working on that and keep investing in that." We have to keep our feet on the ground and face that in our game there's a lot to improve," he said. But we scored in the right moment. The feeling at half time was we should have had the lead in this game. We tried to get back the control of the first half. in our game there's a lot to improve," said Ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he could see both sides of the argument over Bruno Fernandes' controversial equaliser against Manchester City.

In top football you have to suffer and sacrifice to get the right result. "The belief is back and we're in a good direction. They have qualities in split-moments to score goals. The spirit of the team is so huge, the belief is there that the game is 90 minutes and we can fight back. Bruno came from the back – but I can see it from the other side." We defended very well and broke in good opportunities.

Erik ten Hag has preached caution about the idea Manchester United can be contenders for the Premier League title. United overcame Manchester City on ...

They moved to just six points behind [Arsenal](https://theathletic.com/football/team/arsenal/), who have a game in hand, with the win. That is also top football — small details have a big impact, we have to keep working on that.” [Manchester United](https://theathletic.com/football/team/manchester-united/) can be contenders for the [Premier League](https://theathletic.com/football/premier-league/) title.

Ten Hag worked under Guardiola in Germany with the Dutchman in charge of the Bayern Munich reserves while the Spaniard managed the first team. The two then went ...

However, they would fall behind on the hour mark. All the talk heading into the first clash between Guardiola and Ten Hag was about Erling Haaland, who was going into his first Manchester derby in fine form. Ten Hag worked under Guardiola in Germany with the Dutchman in charge of the Bayern Munich reserves while the Spaniard managed the first team.

The new United are resilient and defensively committed. Against City, they put their bodies on the line. Players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Rashford ...

This isn't a City crisis but they do have to find new ways of creating chances and being more penetrative outside the Etihad. Not many 18-year-olds could handle the occasion with a combination of maturity and fearlessness. Things like that come from a place of desire and confidence which Rashford now has in addition to his undoubted ability. Even before Rashford scored his winner, the England striker symbolised a new spirit at the club. Tactically, the Dutchman is also shrewd. [Luke Shaw](/sport/luke-shaw/index.html) and Rashford himself were written off a year ago.

The England star scored for the ninth successive home match in all competitions to snatch a late win for United over derby rival Manchester City.

Erik Ten Hag, a former apprentice of Pep Guardiola became the master as his Manchester United side won 2-1 against Manchester City.

Garnacho however made all the difference on the left. However, Ten Hag’s tactical change made all the difference in United’s come back. Ten Hag’s men went into the game in fine form and wanted to prove a point. It proved that Ten Hag’s tactical decisions and ability to change fundamentals is impressive. Garnacho took his place on the left, Marcus Rashford moving centrally with Fernandes into the 10 role. Ten Hag was heavily defeated by Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad in the reverse fixture, however at Old Trafford it played out differently.

Hard-won victory in Manchester derby showed newly resolute United have finally managed to shake off weight of the past.

The more they beat those challenging for European spots, the closer United will come to the title, and they are finding a formula to do it. For far too long, United have been dependant on their litany of stars producing moments of individual quality to turn matches in their favour but under Ten Hag the collective is more important. As City are learning, short spells of poor form can define a season and with Pep Guardiola’s side rapidly slipping out of the title race, third-placed United need to maintain momentum put pressure on their rivals. They are able to shift mindsets with ease and maintain their confidence to execute a plan. [Liverpool were defeated in August](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/22/manchester-united-liverpool-premier-league-match-report) and [Arsenal in September](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/04/manchester-united-arsenal-premier-league-match-report) at Old Trafford, two games when the visitors dominated. Match-winner Rashford put his body on the line after pulling up in the first half with an injury. Shaw is a fine example of the progress made under Ten Hag. Since then he has impressed Ten Hag with his attitude and performances, and has been able to adapt to playing centre-back. In the game against them in October we learned a big lesson. We were ready for that – 100% everybody had to be ready today, even those starting on the bench. [Against Manchester City](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/14/manchester-united-manchester-city-premier-league-match-report) they were organised and showed new-found discipline for 90 minutes to win an underwhelming derby. Further forward, United pressed as a four-man unit to slow down City’s progress, preventing the defence from instigating attacks.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted that talk of winning the Premier League title in his debut season is 'ridiculous'.

“It’s too early to think about that,” said the left-back, who has been shining in a central role in recent weeks. We have a massive game on Wednesday against Crystal Palace.” “We’re still in four competitions. Available on [all audio platforms](https://podfollow.com/1618416642/view). There are a lot of gaps in our game as well that we have to work on." There is a lot to come.