Erik ten Hag insists his Man United side are NOT thinking about a title race after derby win
Erik ten Hag insisted that Manchester United cannot start to ‘dream’ of a first Premier League title in a decade despite winning a dramatic Old Trafford derby.
Late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford saw United close the gap to one point on second-placed Manchester City in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.
But Ten Hag refused to get carried away after a ninth win in a row, saying: ‘The fans may dream but we’re not. We have to keep our feet on the ground and then face that our game has a lot to improve.
Late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford saw United close the gap to one point on second-placed Manchester City in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.
But Ten Hag refused to get carried away after a ninth win in a row, saying: ‘The fans may dream but we’re not. We have to keep our feet on the ground and then face that our game has a lot to improve.
‘We’ve improved, that’s obvious. But there is still a long way to go, a long path, and a lot of aspects in our game that we have to improve. But we’re progressing.
‘The spirit in the team is so huge. The belief is there, that the game is 90 minutes and they can fight back. We are in a good direction.’
Ten Hag had also played down United’s title chances before kick-off, saying: ‘I don’t think about that in this moment. I don’t dream. I have to develop the team and you’re talking about January – not even halfway, so don’t talk about that. I think Sir Alex Ferguson always said the league is starting in April.’
Fernandes paid tribute to the fighting spirit in the United camp as they recovered to score two quick goals after Jack Grealish headed City in front.
‘It was an amazing comeback, and a great effort from the team,’ said Fernandes.
‘We look like a team now. Some months ago, you could see sometimes a team, sometimes each one of us looking a bit for ourselves. Now you see a proper team that works hard for each other, and you see that it pays.’
United are also through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and have progressed in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
England defender Luke Shaw insists Ten Hag’s side will continue to fight on all four fronts, but stressed the importance of putting this win behind them and focussing on Wednesday’s trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
‘We’re still in four competitions,’ said Shaw. ‘We’re Manchester United, we have to aim high. Of course, we want to win all four but whether that happens or not is down to us – it’s down to the way we act, the way we rest and get ready for the next game.
‘Now we have to forget about this win. We have a massive game on Wednesday now against Palace.’
