27 October 2023 , 16:00
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After 75 games in charge of Manchester United, does anyone know what is Erik ten Hag's style of football? And how many United players have improved in those 75 games?
After watching United open their Champions League account with a fortunate 1-0 win against Copenhagen, where they were second-best for long periods of the game, I am none the wiser.
Anything can happen in a derby, or course, but in the Premier League era no team has won more often at Old Trafford than Manchester City.
And if the champions play anywhere near their best, United will struggle to stop them, whatever shape or system Ten Hag may have in store this weekend.
I'm not writing United off because they won the corresponding fixture, with the help of a controversial offside decision, last January. But they have already lost three times at home this season – to Brighton, Crystal Palace and Galatasaray – and United's performances at Old Trafford have been a very mixed bag lacking a clear identity.
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How long does it take to establish a playing style in the Premier League? Pep Guardiola didn't win a trophy in his first season at the Etihad, but he's won 12 major trophies, including the Treble, since then and he has revolutionised English football.
Ange Postecoglou has only been at Tottenham for 11 games but Spurs have taken to his methods like ducks to water and James Maddison already looks one of the signings of the season.
Everyone knows what to expect from Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta or Roberto De Zerbi's teams. And Unai Emery is turning Aston Villa into a force again after 11 home wins on the bounce and back-to-back 4-1 wins in the past week.
United just edged past Copenhagen in miweek (AFP via Getty Images)But how do we define Ten Hag's philosophy at Manchester United? Every time I've seen them this season, I have no idea how they play. Are they a possession-based team who camp around the opposition box waiting patiently for an opening? No.
Are they a counter-attacking side who like to sit deep and hit teams on the break? No. Do they press teams high up the pitch and force them into mistakes? I can think of several teams who do it more than United.
Look, they will win football matches because they still have enough outstanding individual players whose quality will make the difference.
And they must have been doing something right last season because United won their first trophy in six years, reached two cup finals and finished in the top four.
Some people thought I jumped the gun on Ten Hag when I praised him as one of the best-performing coaches in the world earlier this year, but after beating City they were in contention for silverware on four fronts – and he had overseen an excellent recovery from a torrid start.
United have gone backwards since then. Before a ball was kicked in August, I tipped them to finish in the top four again, but I hold out little hope of that happening now.
Gone are the days when visitors knew what was coming when Sir Alex Ferguson ruled Old Trafford – if you weren't beaten in the tunnel looking across at his awesome team, Fergie's 4-4-2 formation would give you a chasing on the pitch with David Beckham on one flank and Ryan Giggs on the other.
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No derby is a lost cause, but I fear City are likely to underline the gulf between them and United on Sunday. And the gap will be based on Pep's established style where Ten Hag is still searching for a formula which will bring United consistency.