Erik ten Hag has said Manchester United will have no chance of beating their rivals Manchester City in Saturday's Manchester derby if they play as they did in the reverse fixture at the Etihad.
The Red Devils boss was under no illusions when discussing his side's performance against the reigning champions last time round in the Premier League.
Hat-tricks for Erling Haaland and Phil Foden ensured a 6-3 demolition of their noisy neighbours. Goals from Antony and a quick-fire double from Anthony Martial provided some consolation. But the day belonged to Pep Guardiola, with Ten Hag left scratching his head at full-time.
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Over three months on and Manchester United are closing the gap on their bitter rivals, having won their last six matches since the Premier League restart, conceding just one goal along the way.
Meanwhile, Manchester City require three points as they chase league-leaders Arsenal. A passive 2-0 defeat to Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Wednesday will not inspire confidence.
However, form tends to go out the window on derby day, and with bragging rights up for grabs, both clubs will be going at it hammer and tongs.
Ten Hag issues warning to players
Despite their recent form, Ten Hag has acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead, using October's defeat as a lesson for what they need to avoid this time round.
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Speaking to talkSPORT, the 52-year-old stated: “I think we can compete with every team but obviously Manchester City, when they’re at their best, they are hard opponents for everyone. But we have to play our best and then we have a chance.
"If we do it, [play] like in City [in the 6-3 defeat], then you don’t have a chance. So it’s up to us to have a good team, the right co-operation, the right attitude on the pitch, especially if you talk about attitude. So a winning attitude. That is what we need on Saturday.”
In the same interview, the manager explained his side's dramatic turn up in form, ensuring that they are the only English side remaining in four major competitions.
“It’s by standards," he claimed. "By every day, living along high standards. It’s by the team, building a team.
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"Nobody is bigger than the team, everybody has to contribute to the team. That’s not about 11 players but the whole squad. It’s the team around the team.
"All the staff – the medical staff, the performance staff, the coaches, the analysts. Everyone has one aim and they’re contributing to that and working hard for that with togetherness. When we keep this going, we can achieve a lot."
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Pep Guardiola, Manchester United, Manchester City, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Premier League, Football
Joe Adams