Pep Guardiola talks up Erik ten Hag "respect", expects "the best" from Manchester United

After securing a top-four finish and winning the EFL Cup last season, Ten Hag and co have since experienced a challenging 2023-24 campaign and are at risk of ending the campaign both trophyless and without Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils were condemned to their 10th Premier League defeat of the season last weekend as Fulham came away from Old Trafford with a 2-1 victory courtesy of a dramatic 97th-minute winner from Alex Iwobi.

Man United currently sit sixth in the table, but they have slipped eight points behind Aston Villa in fourth spot with 12 games remaining.

On a positive note, Ten Hag's side have put together a six-game winning streak away from home in all competitions, most recently beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on Wednesday to secure their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Although Man United have lost six of the last eight Manchester derbies against their Sky Blue counterparts, including a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford earlier this season, Guardiola is expecting the «best performance» from the Red Devils on Sunday.

During his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola refused to comment on the criticism Ten Hag has received for his inability to communicate his philosophy to his players, and instead talked up his respect for both the Dutchman and the Red Devils.

«Always I expect the best from our opponents. Always,» Guardiola told reporters. «The best performance from [Man United] is always what I expect. I expect the best, but I don't