Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has spoken out ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Red Devils go into the game knowing victory over their rivals would move them to within two points of Pep Guardiola’s side. Defeat, however, would represent a substantial setback given their improvement in recent weeks.

Manchester United started the season slowly, losing Premier League matches to Brighton and Brentford at the start of the Ten Hag era. That led to some to suggest the Dutchman wasn’t good enough for the job but, in the time since, he’s silenced his critics to turn the situation around.

United got their first win of the season against Liverpool and haven’t looked back, beating the likes of Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal in the top flight. Victory over City on Sunday would represent a huge statement of intent, with the Red Devils searching for a first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

And Ten Hag has now faced the media ahead of the biggest match of his United spell to date. When quizzed on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, the Dutchman confirmed the duo were back in training. Rashford has been missing since United’s stirring 3-1 win over Arsenal at the start of the month, with the England international netting twice in that victory.

Martial, meanwhile, has been absent since the Red Devils’ 2-1 triumph over Liverpool at the end of August.

“Anthony Martial been training with the group all week, really happy with that situation,” he said. “Marcus Rashford also joined training, so we are happy with that.”

Ten Hag did, however, confirm Harry Maguire would miss the showdown through injury. And he also defended the England international by saying:

“I have to coach him and back him. I back him because I believe in him. I can see his qualities. Quality is there. Almost 50 caps for England, he has high potential. Then it is about him. We all believe in him.”

September has been a good month for United, with the Red Devils winning their two Premier League fixtures while also getting the better of Sheriff in the Europa League.

Ten Hag has scooped the Manager of the Month award, and recognised this by saying: “What we achieved we did together, it says we are in the right direction. There is a lot of space for improvement, we have to. It says we are in the right direction but have to work harder.”

When asked about how to stop Erling Haaland, he continued: “We don’t play against Haaland, we play against Man City. We are convinced of our capabilities. 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.”

And though he’s yet to get a taste of Manchester derby action, he believes his experience puts his team in good stead.

“I approach this by looking at ourselves. Manchester United, we want to win every game,” he said. “The aim for Sunday is nothing else. We have to do our best and of course a good plan, and the execution. I have played many derbies! I know what they are, what the rivalry, what they do with each other. I know it is the most important game in the Manchester area. It excites me. You do everything to win that game.”

Towards the end of his press conference, Ten Hag also insisted United were doing everything to aid the mental health of their players – again referencing Maguire.

“It is an aspect of top football; it is an aspect of our work. We set conditions for that, we also have experts about,” he said. He (Maguire) is doing quite well, but there is always room for improvement. If he believes in his own skills he will be back, and I am convinced of that. His abilities are really high.”

• An Express report