Manchester City and Manchester United are notorious rivals - but that hasn't stopped one club legend defending the under-fire Erik ten Hag
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester City legend and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany believes that Erik ten Hag doesn't deserve the criticism he is currently facing, after Manchester United lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Kompany is busy preparing his side to face Manchester United on Saturday night in the Premier League, with Burnley looking to pick up their first win of the 2023/24 season.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Kompany acknowledged that while Manchester United have struggled in recent games - they're currently on a three-game losing streak - Ten Hag has shown in the past his quality as a manager and that he shouldn't be doubted.
Manchester City legend Kompany defends Erik ten Hag
Kompany has defended Erik ten Hag (Image credit: Getty Images)
"One thing this man has demonstrated is that he is extremely capable," Kompany said. "There is no doubting that. All the rest that is happening in the outside world, he can't control that."
Kompany, who played 360 times for Manchester City and won four Premier League titles during his time at the club, clearly recognises the task at hand for his team on Saturday.
Returning to the top flight with losses against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, Burnley finally earned their first point away at Nottingham Forest on Monday night. Regardless of the results, the 37-year-old claims he is keeping his squad confident that they're heading in the right direction.
Ten Hag is under pressure after three straight defeats (Image credit: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
"I have to manage the results and performance of my team," Kompany added. "We are a calm camp. We are in a place where we feel that something is really exciting ahead of us.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We have to build on that momentum, what is happening elsewhere is not our concern. I have to prepare our team to play the best possible Manchester United team, playing the way we know they can play.
"If they turn up in any other way, we will see. But I will prepare my team to face United when they are playing at their best."
More Premier League stories, including Burnley and Manchester United
Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
