How United and City could approach the Manchester derby

During his time as Ajax boss, Ten Hag gained a reputation for playing an attractive brand of football, with full-backs encouraged to get forward and every single member of his starting XI tasked with pressing to win the ball high up the pitch. He has deployed that approach at United too.

Anchored superbly by five-time Champions League winner Casemiro, the Reds' midfield press high and aim to regain possession as soon as possible from our opponents. The likes of Bruno Fernandes are thriving in this tactical approach, as United look to spring lightning-fast attacks on our opposition.

Marcus Rashford has been in sublime form this campaign, and that is no surprise, as the attacker is encouraged to run beyond the striker - usually Anthony Martial - to exploit the space in behind enemy defences. What's more, the attacking trio, regardless of personnel, relentlessly close down opposition defences, ensuring they cannot play out from the back.

The Reds have improved most in defensive areas this term though, with clean sheets becoming something of a regularity under Ten Hag. In addition to our resilience, United have demonstrated a willingness to play out from the back, with patterns of play often starting from the centre-backs or even goalkeeper David De Gea.

Lisandro Martinez has been a revelation at centre-back, often picking up the ball in the United half and cutting through opposition midfields with direct, pinpoint passing. There is a real balance to Ten Hag's backline, whether that be the combination of Martinez and Varane, or whether Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof or even Luke Shaw operate in these positions. This allows the Reds' central defenders to get on the ball and contribute to our attacking play.

Part of this defence are our full-backs, who are encouraged to join in with the attack.  Diogo Dalot, Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have all emerged as key assets for the Reds in the final third, offering width which stretches opposing defences and gives their team-mates an extra option to use.

Our full-backs often drift into central areas too, with the wingers to keep the width. This is a tactic often deployed by City boss Guardiola, as well, and in playing this way, Ten Hag ensures that the Reds outnumber the opposition in the middle of the pitch.

Guardiola's approach to games naturally means he relies heavily on his full-backs and their ability to affect play further up the pitch as well as at the back. This season, however, he has at times opted for a three-at-the-back formation in possession, which sees Joao Cancelo play further forward as a winger and Phil Foden often operating on the opposite flank.

That leaves Rodri with the hybrid role of defensive-midfielder and centre-back, partnered by Bernardo Silva or up-and-coming youngster Rico Lewis, who is enjoying an emergence this term the City. A midfield duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan then act as a pair of free no.8s, working in the space behind prolific frontman Erling Haaland. 

Pep’s willingness to focus tactics around Norwegian no.9 has paid dividends so far, with Haaland netting 21 league goals so far. He was on target twice last time he faced United, back in October at the Etihad Stadium, and the Reds will have to defend resiliently to keep the in-form striker at bay on Saturday.