Erik ten Hag was reluctant to focus on Erling Haaland as Manchester United attempt to become only the third Premier League team to prevent him from scoring this season.
Haaland has plundered 14 goals in 10 games for City this season and has only failed to register in the Community Shield against Liverpool and the Premier League stroll against Bournemouth.
Ten Hag encountered Haaland as Ajax coach last season in the Champions League when he was nullified by Lisandro Martinez in a 4-0 victory for the Eredivisie champions.
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Haaland rejected the opportunity to join United in December 2019 and elected to sign for City when they triggered his £51million release clause in the summer.
"We don't play against Haaland, we play against Manchester City," Ten Hag shrugged. "They have a team, more than 11 players but we have also.
"We are convinced of our capabilities and if we act as a team in and out of possession, we can beat opponents and that's the belief where we have to get winners, where we line up and start the game and we need it more over 90 minutes, clear."
Ten Hag denied that Martinez's performance against Haaland last year would count for anything at the Etihad. ."It's totally different situation, two different teams, so different approaches, different situations, so you cannot compare it."
United have already beaten fellow top six sides Liverpool and Arsenal under Ten Hag and face City, Tottenham and Chelsea in October.
Although the triumphs over Liverpool and Arsenal were uplifting, Ten Hag stressed he has to be critical in his analysis of wins if United are to maintain their form.
"When I analysed those games and I have to be critical, that's what I mean, there's room for improvement," he added. "So if you want to keep this process going, keep beating big teams, you have to improve.
"And if you want to be stable performances against not only those teams but all of the teams. That's why we need improvement."
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