Manchester Derby: Ten Hag and Guardiola Speak on Rivalry

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, believes that his team is heading in the right direction despite their recent struggles. On the other hand, Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, considers Liverpool as his side’s current biggest rivals.

Ten Hag’s United will kick-off Sunday’s derby six points behind City after losing four out of their first nine matches. While acknowledging both positives and negatives in their performance, Ten Hag believes there is still a long way to go for his team.

Guardiola, however, suggests that it will take time for United to challenge for the title. Last season, City finished 14 points ahead of their rivals in the league and defeated them 2-1 in the FA Cup final. The past 20 league encounters between these two clubs have been evenly matched with City edging ahead by a narrow margin.

The View from Erik ten Hag:

Ten Hag led United to their first silverware in six years during his debut season as manager – clinching the Carabao Cup in February – and guided them back to Champions League qualification with a third-place league finish. Despite an underwhelming start this season according to some critics like Jamie Carragher who claims United “resemble a team reaching the end of a cycle,” Ten Hag disagrees.

“We are top in possession won statistics such as high ball regains and middle ball regains,” said Ten Hag confidently refuting Carragher’s claims. “Our pressing is always very good, so that is not the truth what he is telling.”

Indeed, statistics back up Ten Hag’s statement as United lead the Premier League in possession won with an average of 57.4 regains per match and possess a strong record of winning back possession in the attacking third.

The Perspective from Pep Guardiola:

Since their takeover by Abu Dhabi owners in 2008, Manchester City has risen to football’s elite and proven to be an uncomfortable challenge for their Premier League rivals like United. Winning five out of the past six Premier League titles and matching United’s famous treble achievement last season, City has firmly established themselves at the top.

“We were not part of the elite before, but now we are,” stated Guardiola proudly. “It may make others feel uneasy, but we want to stay here as long as possible.”

Guardiola considers Liverpool as City’s current biggest rivals due to their recent clashes and intense competition on multiple fronts. While United have come close domestically by finishing runners-up under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in recent seasons; they still fell short by significant margins compared to City.