United travel to the capital to take on Spurs in a 20:15 BST kick-off tonight (Thursday), with the hosts looking to bounce back after losing 6-1 at St. James' Park on Sunday.
Despite Tottenham's players vowing to respond positively to that defeat, and the dismissal of interim boss Cristian Stellini this week, Ten Hag believes the London club would have been striving to claim a scalp on Thursday regardless.
In his customary matchday Q&A with club media, the Dutchman maintained the need for the Reds to raise our levels at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as every club who faces United has extra motivation to succeed due to who we are.