Erik ten Hag has been told that two of his Manchester United stars are key in stopping Erling Haaland from producing his best football in today’s derby against Manchester City.The Norwegian striker has netted 27 goals in 23 matches this season, three of which came in October’s 6-3 win over United. He has failed to score in his last two appearances, having played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Chelsea and 34 minutes as a substitute in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton.Only one goal conceded in six-straight wins in all competitions 🔥Manchester United head into the Manchester derby this weekend in top form 👀 pic.twitter.com/NUHf7WJbr0— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 10, 2023 Haaland’s record in the Premier League stands at 21 goals in 16 games, and United will be trying to cut out his supply line at Old Trafford this weekend. United’s defenders Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, as well as defensive midfielder Casemiro, will have to show all their ability to prevent the blonde-haired prodigy from tearing the Red Devils apart.But Ten Hag has got a valuable asset in attack too. Marcus Rashford extended his scoring run to a career-best six straight games with his double against Charlton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. The 25-year-old’s tally for the season is 15 – three times as many as he scored last term.##NAJAVA_MECA_6945082##Already he has exceeded his return from all but two campaigns in a career in which he has performed well enough to win 51 England caps. From this position, few would be surprised at Rashford going way past his highest total of 22 from the 2019/20 season.Although everyone will be watching the goalscorers, many players in both squads are worth looking at. After all, in derby games, you never know who will be a hero or a zero. It’s where the beauty is in these kinds of fixtures.Ten Hag urged his players to trust the process and continue to do what they’ve been doing in recent months.”We have had to work, and it’s not only coming overnight. It was a process in the last months where we develop, where we have progressed, and we now have to face it against better teams. We are looking forward to it and that is one of the things is about our mental approach, mental attitude, so we have to be brave and we have to act with belief and play our game.”If Manchester City win Saturday’s Manchester Derby, City will have more #PL wins over United than any other team. pic.twitter.com/LXkG8r9taC— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) January 12, 2023 The Dutchman’s counterpart Guardiola urged his players to be alert and know they won’t have such an easy task against United this time around.”I have the feeling every time we play them at Old Trafford or the Etihad, it’s a difficult game. They are always attractive games. There are a lot of quality players on both sides. It will be a good game.”It will be a good game, we’re sure of it. And we can’t wait.PREMIER LEAGUEThursdayFulham – Chelsea 2-1 (1-0)/Willian 25, Vinicius 73 – Koulibaly 47/FridayAston Villa – Leeds United 2-1 (1-0)/Bailey 3, Buendia 64 – Bamford 83/Saturday15:30: (5.40) Man.Utd. (3.70) Man.City (1.75)18:00: (2.70) Wolverhampton (3.05) West Ham (2.80)18:00: (3.05) Nott.Forest (3.25) Leicester (2.55)18:00: (3.80) Brighton (3.60) Liverpool (2.05)18:00: (2.25) Everton (3.25) Southampton (3.60)20:30: (1.65) Brentford (3.90) Bournemouth (6.00)Sunday17:00: (1.62) Newcastle (4.00) Fulham (6.25)17:00: (1.65) Chelsea (3.80) Crystal Palace (6.25)19:30: (3.60) Tottenham (3.50) Arsenal (2.15)***odds are subject to change***
