Erik ten Hag tones down Erling Haaland rivalry amid two major injury boosts for Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has stated that despite Manchester United facing once-striker target Erling Haaland, the fixture is not all about him.

Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the press ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League derby against Manchester City, with an obvious topic of conversation being Erling Haaland.

Haaland was a major target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in 2020, and has been linked with the club many times in the last few seasons, however now he is playing in Manchester blue.

Erik ten Hag had the question of how to stop Haaland posted to him ahead of the derby, however the Dutchman was defiant in his response.

"We don't play against Haaland, we play against Man City,” Ten Hag said.

“We are convinced of our capabilities. If we act as a team then we can beat our opponents.

“That is the belief we need, and we need it even more [on] Sunday."

Haaland has scored 13 goals for Manchester City so far this season, and has set some incredible records in the opening month of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

United’s season, after getting off to a rocky start, has now hit the ground running, with Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford collecting awards for their performances in September.

Marcus Rashford won the Premier League Player of the Month for September, while Erik ten Hag collected the Manager of the Month award.

There have been doubts about Rashford’s fitness in recent weeks after the player had to pull out of the England squad due to injury, however Erik ten Hag has shed positive light on the player’s current status.

Marcus Rashford also joined training, so we are happy with that."

The ‘also’ in this quote is in reference to Anthony Martial, who has not played for the club since the 2-1 victory over Liverpool in August.

"Anthony Martial been training with the group all week,” Ten Hag said of the Frenchman.

“(I am) really happy with that situation.”

The derby is due to take place on Sunday, with Manchester United looking to defeat their third ‘big six’ side of the season.