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.” Jadon Sancho is a former Dortmund teammate of Haaland and Ten Hag has sounded the winger out about City’s big summer signing. “Of course you talk with your players,” says the 52-year-old. “When someone has played in the past with a particular opponent, you ask him.