"They have a lot of skills, and we have to be ready for that game" - Ten Hag previews Manchester United vs Manchester City clash
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has called Manchester City a team with a "lot of skills" ahead of their Community Shield clash. The Red Devils take on cross-city rivals City on Saturday, August 10, for their first potential trophy of the new campaign.
Both teams were on the opposite spectrums regarding how the last season transpired for them. The Cityzens were basking in glory after winning their sixth Premier League title in seven seasons. United, on the flip side, finished eighth in the Premier League, their worst-ever finish in the league.
However, Ten Hag's men redeemed themselves after defeating City to claim the FA Cup title. They had lost the domestic cup to City in 2023 by the same margin.
The Dutch manager has been entrusted with the task of turning things around and his stint will for sure be tested when Manchester United take on City for the Community Shield title for what will be an instrumental game for both teams.
The former Ajax manager has said that his team will need to pull up their socks in order to claim bragging rights over their arch-rivals. Here's what he said (via UtdDistrict):
"They have a lot of skills, and we have to be ready for that game. So that's a big challenge because for the first time, we are all coming together this season, and then you have a couple of days to be ready as a team to face a very good opponent."
The new Premier League campaign begins on August 16. Manchester City will take on Chelsea on Sunday, August 18. The Red Devils will face Fulham on Friday, August 16.
Manchester United qualify for the UEFA Europa League after winning the FA Cup
The red side of Manchester did the impossible and defeated City 2-1 in the final of the FA Cup. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored for The Red Devils while Jeremy Doku scored the consolation goal for Pep Guardiola's side.
Owing to their emphatic win, Ten Hag's men qualified for the Europa League, despite finishing eighth in the Premier League. Manchester United last won the European title in 2017. Interestingly, they defeated Ajax 2-0, who were being managed by Erik ten Hag back then.
Chelsea, who held the Europa League spot, were relegated to the UEFA Conference League following United's FA Cup win. As for City, they became the first team ever to lift four consecutive Premier League titles.