‘Not gonna be much of a battle’ – Man City fans react as Erik Ten Hag makes ambitious Pep Guardiola admission after taking charge at United

Erik ten Hag is looking forward to going toe-to-toe with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after being officially unveiled as Manchester United’s new manager.

United had another disappointing campaign in the 2021-22 season. They finished sixth in the Premier League, 35 points behind the champion City and missing the UEFA Champions League next season. Meanwhile, they were the only team of the top eight that had zero goal difference after scoring the fewest goals (57) and allowing the second-most goals (57) among top eight.

By contrast, City scored 99 goals and conceded 26; Liverpool scored 94 goals and allowed only 26. That’s a huge gap for United to overcome. The club has the highest team wages of 208.4 million pounds (about $262.4 million) this season in the Premier League but apparently a lot of their money was not spent on the right spots.

Erik ten Hag, the new manager of Manchester United football club has said he wants to put an end to the dominance of Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Dutchman, who watched United’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday from the stands, held his first press conference since taking charge at Old Trafford on Monday lunchtime. He outlined his plans for the forthcoming summer and his long-term objectives.

After shaking hands with some of the assembled media ahead of the press call getting under way, the Dutchman spoke comfortably, all while donning a smile. Ahead of meeting the gathered media, he also conducted an in-depth interview with the club’s in-house media department.

He answered questions on a wide range of topics, including his relationship with Guardiola, as the pair worked together while the latter was in charge of Bayern Munich, with Ten Hag overseeing matters of the reserve team [Bayern Munich II]. But the United boss is now looking forward to challenging him in pursuit of success.

“Yes, I really look forward [to facing him] and I admire him for the way he wants to play,” Ten Hag told United’s club website. “He has also inspired me by the way he wins titles. But also I look forward to battling him.”

These Erik ten Hag’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Take it easy Erik, take it easy. Erling haaland is at the Etihad lacing his boots.”
Credit: @MSikholi

“Bless him. Looking forward to him trying to perform that miracle.”
Credit: @minksfootie

“As a Man City fan.. You already know Ten Hag will win the first derby 🤦.”
Credit: @Sterling_777

“It’s not gonna be much of a battle.”
Credit: @TheRealBalCay

“This guy has been talking too much, can’t wait till the United fans want him out.”
Credit: @MohamedMCFC_

“We gotta do him how Pep did Mourinho when he first came to LA liga and hit them with a 5-0.”
Credit: @mxnxl_

“That’s how massive Pep Guardiola is. People always speak highly of him and his tactics. His assistants have become great coaches in a short time. Now this league alone already has 2 people who work under Pep. No one like him in the world of football. He changes this sport..”
Credit: @La_Cityzen

“Erik just prepare yourself cos by end of next season #Ten Hag in the wheel » will be the new refrain from the mouths of certain fans.”
Credit: @Xtr1mS