Erik ten Hag has rubbished the view of some Manchester United legends who say his team do not have a clear style of play.
It is an accusation that has been thrown at the Red Devils from the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane but Ten Hag says he can't take the opinion seriously.
United have undoubtedly had their troubles on and off the pitch this season and are 12 points off the top four ahead of Sunday's visit of arch-rivals Liverpool.
They conceded two goals in stoppage time to lose 4-3 at Chelsea on Thursday in one of the Premier League's all-time classics.
Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag has hit back at criticism from Manchester United legends
Sky Sports
Pundits analysing United this season have often pointed to a lack of identity in how Ten Hag wants to set his team up.
Former captains Neville and Keane have been two of the more vocal critics in that regard.
Asked about that criticism from former United players, Ten Hag hit back in dismissive fashion in an interview with Sky Sports.
The Dutchman said: "I can't take this serious, it's so obvious. I think we're playing very good football against the biggest teams.
"We get ourselves in winning positions and not by luck - by playing decent football.
"Thursday we dominated that game with how much tempo and intensity, how much creativity.
"And not by luck or by coincidence. No. We scored incredibly good goals. Because we have clear principles, we have clear rules how we want to play. Our way of playing is very clear and obvious."
Asked why pundits are confused, Ten Hag responded: "I don't know and I don't care. Because that is their assessment.
"We know where we are, we know what our identity is. We know where we want to go through.
"We want to dominate a game, in and out of possession, we want to play out from the back, but our biggest strength is we have a lot of tempo in the frontline.
"We have real creativity and we have really clear patterns of how we can beat opponents.
"But there is also a matter of time and experience to understand in a game, to recognise when we go for goal and when we have to keep the ball and acting more patient."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag insists his team do have a style of play
Getty
Ten Hag knows the importance of Sunday's match, with the opportunity to put a halt to Liverpool's title charge.
He said: "A very important game for us in the competition. The points are getting more and more expensive for us, but also for them.
"And they are in the title race. For our fans, this is a huge, important game.
"It's the most important game of the season and we are totally aware of it.
Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag has called on his team to put in a big performance against Liverpool
Getty
"We want to put things right, we want to get a reaction and we know we can do it. We showed it three weeks ago.
"Thursday night again we showed what a very good team we can be.
"But we have to show it over, not only 90 minutes, but also stoppage time and get a win. That is the most important for Sunday."
