Erik ten Hag names four qualities Manchester United must show in derby fixture vs Man City

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has called on his players to display four qualities if they are to beat Manchester City in Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium.

United will make the short hop across the city with the ambition of derailing City's title charge and reigniting their top-four push. The Reds currently find themselves eight points shy of the Champions League places following last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.

United, to their credit, produced a response at the first time of asking in midweek, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the City Ground. Casemiro scored the only goal of the game, nodding home a late winner.

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United, not for the first time in recent weeks, were significantly light on numbers on the banks of the Trent. Harry Maguire joined the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund on the sidelines during the week and is expected to miss the trip to City.

It means Sofyan Amrabat could once again be tasked with deputising at left-back. He started on the left of the back-four in midweek and produced a solid showing.

"Finally, yes," Ten Hag told MUTV when asked if he was pleased with the system tweak against Forest. "But also, for Sunday, we have to lay the puzzle because we are still missing full-backs. We are still missing centre halves.

"So we have to be creative but I think we can. On Wednesday, we showed we can, if we have the right plan.

"But, more important than that, if we have that passion, and that ambition, and desire and determination to win the game, then we are able