Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United can beat Manchester City in Sunday’s derby but insists they will not focus their entire attention on trying to stop Erling Haaland.
Haaland, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, has scored 11 of his side’s 23 goals in the Premier League this season.
The 22-year-old has easily adjusted to life in English football and will face United for the first time at the Eithad on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
He is likely to come up against Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, who have been key to United’s recent mini-revival under Ten Hag, but the Dutchman would not be drawn on how to stop the imposing centre-forward.
“We don’t play against Haaland, we play against Manchester City,” Ten Hag, who was named September’s manager of the month on Friday, said at his pre-match press conference.
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“They have a team, more than 11 players, but also we are convinced of our capabilities and if we act as a team, in and out of possession, then you can beat such opponents.
“That is the belief we have to take with us when we line up, when we start the game and we do it over more than 90 minutes on Sunday, clear.”
Pep: Martinez can handle taller strikers
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes United’s 5ft 9in defender Martinez can “handle” playing against taller strikers, such as Haaland.
Martinez is the shortest central defender in the Premier League and is seven inches shorter than Haaland, who stands at 6ft 4in.
But the Argentine has previously kept Haaland quiet as he nullified the Norwegian last October in Ajax’s 4-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Asked about the match-up between Haaland and Martinez on Sunday, Guardiola said: “Erling is taller, that’s for sure.
“But I like it when people underestimate football players for their size. He can tell them: I’m here, I’m a good player, I can play everywhere. He’s a fantastic player, incredible build-up, aggressive and you’ve seen his behaviours.
“If United spend this money for him, because Erik of course knows him from Ajax, there is no doubt about that.
“It’s not the first time he’s played against taller strikers than him. In Holland I’m pretty sure there are big one strikers and he handles it. Important is to be intelligent, be brave.
“But of course in the box, the crosses in that position Erling is taller, that’s right, so we’ll see what happens.”