This dig at Cristiano Ronaldo could not Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag don’t hold back. Asked about the recipe for the most recent series of successes since the superstar’s bitter farewell, the coach said: “No one is bigger than the team, everyone has to get involved.” The record-breaking English champions have been unbeaten in eight competitive games and are in high spirits going into the derby with unloved neighbors Manchester City on Saturday.
Redeemed from house row with Ronaldo ten Hag even set a record this week. The 3-0 League Cup win over Charlton Athletic was the Dutchman’s 20th win in 27 games since taking charge. No Man United coach before him managed that so quickly, not even club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It’s because we set ourselves high standards every day,” explained ten Hag in an interview with radio station talkSport. It’s all about the team, emphasized the 52-year-old. This is how he proceeded in the Ronaldo dispute.
The fact that ten Hag increasingly left the Portuguese superstar, who has a starting eleven guarantee from his own self-image, on the bench led to a rift. After a sensational TV interview in which Ronaldo harshly criticized the club and its manager, his time at Old Trafford was up. It should be fine with Ten Hag. Because the 37-year-old was increasingly becoming a problem.
Anyone who feared after Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi Arabia that Man United could weaken in attack saw a lesson. There were three wins in the Premier League. Since then, the team has also won all games in the FA Cup and the League Cup – and is now leaving for the first time in a long time headed into the home game against champions Manchester City.
“I think we can compete with any team,” said ten Hag. “But it’s clear that when Manchester City are at their best, they’re tough opponents for anyone.” United had to experience this first-hand several times recently. The Cityzens won the last three direct encounters with a total of 12:4 goals. In the current season, ten Hag’s team lost 6-3 at the Guardiola Club in September.
But this time the signs are different. While ten Hag is winning with Man United and climbing the Premier League table, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are struggling a little. Without their top striker, ex-Dortmunder Erling Haaland, City surprisingly lost 2-0 in the League Cup against bottom-placed FC Southampton. City captain Ilkay Gündogan was extremely annoyed about this.
With a view to the derby, the German international now warned against Man United. “It seems that they are starting to click, so it’s going to be a very tough game, probably the toughest Manchester derby we’ve had in a number of years,” Gundogan said. “Manchester United are in a really good period right now, they’re full of confidence, they’re hungry and they want to win.”
A win against local rivals would see Manchester United move up to a point on City. The gap to leaders Arsenal, who are contesting a derby at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, could shrink to six points. With 20 Premier League games remaining and three competitions in which Manchester United are still involved, there still seems to be a lot possible for Erik ten Hag and his team.
