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Erik ten Hag knows Manchester United \u201chave a way to go\u201d in their development but dismissed former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher\u2019s claim that the team have gone backwards this season.<\/p>\n
All eyes will be on Old Trafford this Sunday afternoon as the Red Devils look for a statement victory in the derby against treble winners Manchester City.<\/p>\n
United head into the match after toiling to a third straight victory in all competitions, with Andre Onana\u2019s last-gasp spot-kick save sealing a 1-0 win against Copenhagen in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
It was another narrow escape for Ten Hag\u2019s so far underwhelming side, who need to be far better if they are to stand any chance of winning the 191st Manchester derby.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in the right direction, and we have a way to go,\u201d the United manager said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see positives, I see also negatives. We are not consistently, in possession, on the level where we can be, where we show in games we can be.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike for instance, Arsenal away. Also, the first 30 minutes in Bayern Munich away. But we should do this on a consistent basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut pressing, we are quite good. We have the most ball regains from the whole Premier League, we have the most middle regains from the whole Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, there you see, our defensive organisation, our pressing organisation. I said before the season how we wanted to play, that is us.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut then, we don\u2019t take the benefit in the attacking transition moments, and we should be because we have the abilities in our team, the players there who can take benefit from it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe paid some attention to it, and this has to grow, this has to progress. Then games will become easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
United have had a few factors to contend with this term, from injuries and off-field issues to tough fixtures and underperforming stars.<\/p>\n
The afterglow of a promising first season under Ten Hag has certainly dimmed, with the side dropping off markedly after February\u2019s Carabao Cup final triumph against Newcastle.<\/p>\n
Liverpool favourite Carragher this week said United \u201cresemble a team reaching the end of a cycle, not one still rebuilding under a relatively new manager\u201d.<\/p>\n
The former defender also said in his Telegraph column that \u201cthe football is stale and the symptoms of regression are visible\u201d \u2013 comments that were put to Ten Hag ahead of the derby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said in possession we have to do better,\u201d the Dutchman said.\u00a0\u201cBut there are reasons I don\u2019t go into, but I think everyone is seeing why.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are also facts, so I disagree. We are much better.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd even we are top Premier League in high ball regains, we are top Premier League in middle ball regains.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur pressing is always very good, so that is not the truth what he is telling.\u201d<\/p>\n
United are certainly far from their best right now, with the stuttering performances coming under the continued cloud of questions over the ownership.<\/p>\n
Sheikh Jassim recently withdrew from the interminable potential takeover process due to the Glazer family\u2019s demands, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s Ineos now looking set to take a stake and sporting control.<\/p>\n
Asked if United\u2019s players are thinking about the impact on them of potential changes above, Ten Hag said: \u201cI don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, they are committed to the club but especially they are committed to this team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to be successful and are aware you need the team, your team-mates, you need cooperation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to play with the best players you have in this team and when the cooperation is growing, we will play better and that is in their benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that is how the players are thinking and they are not thinking about strategic reviews or structures or whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n