Manchester United and Erik ten Hag handed good omen ahead of derby against rivals Man City
Man United have got some encouraging news ahead of their trip to Manchester City.
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag have been given a lucky omen ahead of Sunday’s derby against rivals Manchester City.
Ten Hag will square up against Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday when United and City compete in the city’s most anticipated football match. The Reds enter the game having won four straight Premier League games, albeit the recent postponements due to The Queen’s death and the international break mean that it has been nearly a month since their 3-1 victory against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
However, United’s players have been in excellent form over the international break, and have, with the exception of Martin Dubravka’s absence from the Slovakia squad, gone through the domestic slump unscathed.
Ten Hag, unlike other managers, regards his players joining up with their respective nationalities as a good. During his time at Ajax, he was asked if he was concerned about his players returning from international duty with injuries.
“No [I’m not concerned], because the guys are fit, and that’s why they’re chosen,” he remarked. You can look at it another way: they’re good. That’s generally how it occurs, that they return full of vigor. Because they receive a change of location and play style with other players with whom they connect well.
“Secondly, they’ll have something to look forward to when they return.” That gives the team a lot of energy.”
Ten Hag’s squad has not only shone for their various countries in order to carry that enthusiasm back to Manchester, but they have also got some more encouraging news ahead of the match versus City.
The Premier League has announced that Michael Oliver will be in charge of this weekend’s Manchester derby. Oliver was the referee at United’s victory over Liverpool earlier this season, which kicked off this incredible run of form.
Ten Hag will be hoping that this serves as a good omen for his team ahead of kickoff on Sunday when United will be looking to make it five consecutive league victories at the expense of their bitter rivals.
