Diligence, discipline and grit: Erik ten Hag is building a side in his image

Against Manchester City, United were organised and showed new-found discipline for 90 minutes to win an underwhelming derby.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, whose strong discipline is the driving force of their recent success, according to goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Pic: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

ERIK ten Hag’s Manchester United have learned how to suffer and deal with difficult moments after years of adopting a laissez-faire attitude to defeat. There is a realisation that the team can be better than the sum of its parts if the players work together.

Against Manchester City they were organised and showed new-found discipline for 90 minutes to win an underwhelming derby. Despite City enjoying 71% of possession, they could only muster a single shot on target, which was Jack Grealish’s opener. While City were below their best, their playmakers only need a moment of genius to create a goal – but as Kevin De Bruyne proved – but United limited them through precision defending.