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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has 'surprise in store' for Arsenal in bid to wreck title hopes
Erik ten Hag is said to be plotting a surprise for Arsenal when they visit Man Utd this weekend.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly spent the week working on a very different approach for Manchester United's high-stakes Premier League clash against Arsenal tomorrow. The Red Devils are still licking their wounds from a mauling last time out but must respond with a positive performance this weekend.
Crystal Palace romped to a 4-0 thrashing at Selhurst Park on Monday, a joint-record 13th league defeat, intensifying the scrutiny on Ten Hag's position.
United have slumped to eighth in the table with just two wins from their last 10 Premier League games, which would be the club's worst-ever finish and deny them of European qualification.
The performance and result in South London earlier this week to continue a torrid run of results - and the jeopardy it has caused - is claimed to have sparked a change of direction in Ten Hag's preparations.
According to the Independent, Ten Hag has used the days between the Palace defeat and Arsenal's visit to form a completely different plan for Mikel Arteta's title challengers.
Whether that's focused on team selection, his formation, or player instructions based on Arsenal's undeniable threats remains to be seen.
But Ten Hag appears to be making a last-ditch effort to find whatever's left from his beaten-up squad and have a significant say in the title race.
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Of course, United would rather Arsenal pipped Manchester City to the post this season, with their bitter rivals on the verge of a record-breaking four consecutive titles.
But their aims are significantly more important, and Ten Hag desperately needs results. He'll have his own shot at ending City's campaign on a sour note in the second successive derby FA Cup final.
Ahead of Arsenal landing at Old Trafford - where they haven't won a league game in front of fans since 2006 - he said: "We know they are one of the best teams or probably the best team.
You can discuss this. Is City the best team or is Arsenal at this moment the best team?
"Very ball secure, so very good structures and we know we have to play absolutely to our maximum levels to get a result. But we are capable of it."
Despite United's third final in two seasons under Ten Hag, he insists they are fully focused on taking a huge leap towards a consolidation spot in the Europa League or Conference League.
"We always go in a game to win and not preparing for the next game," the 54-year-old explained.
"Of course, it [the cup final] is at the back of my mind, but we want to put out a team that is competitive for Sunday and a team that is eager to win and produce the best team for Sunday to win that game."