Erik ten Hag could achieve something this weekend that Manchester United's last five managers couldn't in the Manchester derby.
That's because David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick all lost their first league derbies against Man City as United boss, with Sir Alex Ferguson the last to win his first encounter in March 1987.
Rangnick was appointed on an interim basis last season and he was on the touchline for the most recent defeat against Man City at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola's side won that game 4-1 in March after Jadon Sancho's goal in the first half briefly had United level.
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Although Solskjaer had a strong record, United have recently struggled in the Manchester derby and City are looking to win three consecutive league games against the Reds for the first time since a run of four between April 2013 and November 2014.
Ten Hag will be hoping to avoid defeat in his first derby in charge of the club and he will equal Ferguson's record should his side achieve that. But City are unbeaten and have scored the most goals in the league this season (23) and Erling Haaland has been prolific.
Haaland has scored 14 goals in this campaign and Ten Hag was asked about his plan to stop him at his press conference on Friday. "We don't play against Haaland, we play against Man City. We are convinced of our capabilities," Ten Hag said.
"If we act as a team then we can beat our opponents. That is the belief we need, and we need it even more Sunday."
United have lost 17 Premier League games against City, only losing more against Liverpool (18) and Chelsea (18) in the history of the competition, but that record will change this season if the Reds suffer back-to-back defeats in the derby again.
Sunday's game kicks off at 2pm, UK time.
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