ERIK TEN HAG admits he must solve a defensive “puzzle” for Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Harry Maguire has joined Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the sidelines through injury and Manchester United boss Ten Hag is expected to pick from the same squad that edged past Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in midweek.
Sofyan Amrabat returned to the United side on Wednesday on the left, with Diogo Dalot on the right.
Ten Hag said on manutd.com: “We have to lay the puzzle because we are still missing full-backs. We are still missing centre-halves.
“So we have to be creative but I think we can. On Wednesday, we showed we can, if we have the right plan.
“But, more important than that, if we have that passion, and that ambition, and desire and determination to win the game, then we are able to do it.”
A trip to the Etihad Stadium, where United have conceded a combined 10 goals in their last two visits, presents a formidable challenge, but Ten Hag believes they can put the Fulham disappointment behind them.
“Of course, it’s annoying,” he said. “It still annoys me, that game against Fulham. But it happened and, also, we can’t forget what happened before that.
“From January on, we are in very good form, on a very good run. We bounced back (at Forest) and we have to keep this process going. We’re looking forward, great games are coming up – big games and good challenges.
“So the team is really excited about that. I’m excited about going into this game, and also the coming games, but Sunday is very important.”
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, feels having four clear days ahead of a Manchester derby is a “dream” at this stage of the season.
It is a crucial month for City with games against title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal to come, as well as the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie and an FA Cup quarter-final.
City were last in action on Tuesday when they thrashed Luton 6-2 in the cup fifth round and Guardiola believes the derby preparations since have been ideal.
“Tuesday to Sunday is enough (time), it is a dream,” he said. “We will recover well.
“The problem is Saturday to Tuesday with trips, that is less recovery, but the players were extraordinary against Luton.
“We had two days off with rest, not seeing each other, and then two days to prepare for United.”
Yet despite opportunities for rest being minimal as last season’s treble winners again pursue glory on three fronts, Guardiola admits this time of year – with all its intensity – is what he relishes most.
He said: “Absolutely, (these periods) are the best. How nice. I prefer that than the opposite.
“It is so nice to have this fixture against United, to have the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, then we have Anfield and then before the international break we have the chance against Newcastle to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.
“We worked so hard since we arrived here to live these kind of moments.”
United’s form throughout most of the season has been unconvincing and they face a tall order to finish in the top four.
Ten Hag’s future has been the subject of recurring speculation but Guardiola refused to offer an opinion on the reasons for United’s failures to sustain momentum.
The Spaniard said: “I expect the best from United but I don’t talk a word about what they do because I respect them too much and I don’t want my words to be misunderstood.
“When I make comments people always say, ‘Pep jibe’ and it’s never my intention. That’s why it is better I don’t say anything.
“I have a lot of respect for the institution, United, and the players and Erik, and when I see what we have to do my players will know it.”
