Erik ten Hag makes scarcely credible claim after Manchester derby defeat

Callum Boyle

Erik ten Hag has opted to remain positive despite Manchester United’s derby day demolition on Sunday.

United fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat against neighbours Manchester City as they rarely looked like troubling the Premier League champions.

Erling Haaland was the star of the show and opened the scoring as he converted the penalty that was awarded by VAR after Rasmus Hojlund was adjudged to have pulled back Rodri in the box.

The Norwegian then doubled his and City’s tally early into the second half as he nodded home Bernardo Silva’s delicious cross. Phil Foden then finished the game off as he got on the end of Haaland’s teasing ball to make sure of a brilliant win for the Premier League champions.

Erik ten Hag claims Man United are ‘on the way up’

Erik ten Hag made several bold decisions for the game at Old Trafford, choosing to start Jonny Evans over Raphael Varane for “tactical reasons” as well as fielding Victor Lindelof at left back in favour of Sergio Regulion.

After the game, the Dutchman said: “When you see the first half it is toe-to-toe and just the penalty changes the game, but even then we could have returned in the game with the shot of Scott McTominay just before half-time.

“For chances it was very toe-to-toe and also in the previous games against them in the FA Cup final and January it was very close. So the probability that we could win was there in all the games.”

Last season, United beat Man City at Old Trafford but lost the FA Cup final 2-1 and the fixture at the Etihad Stadium 6-3 however Ten Hag insisted that the Red Devils are on an upwards trajectory.

“If you see all three games we played very well against them,” he continued. The three games before we won, and the spirit is very good, so I think we are on the way up.

“The start was difficult but we are on the way up. I am sure when we have some injured players coming back then our side will be stronger. We have to be patient.”

United are eighth in the table, eight points off the Champions League spots and 11 off league leading Tottenham. They have lost seven games, so far, this season.

Erik ten Hag and his struggling side are next up against Newcastle United in the League Cup before they travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in the Premier League.