Erik ten Hag admits that the dismal 6-3 derby loss to Manchester City was the result of his players’ lack of belief from the very first whistle.
With just under 20 minutes remaining, City was up 6-1 with two hat-tricks from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, who swept aside the entire game. The Reds did, however, make sure that the score looked a little more reasonable by the end by scoring twice through Anthony Martial.
However, the damage was already done because United in the first half failed to contain a rampaging City side that was propelled by goal-scoring machine Haaland. He not only scored twice but also provided the assist for Foden’s second goal, giving Pep Guardiola’s team a 4-0 lead at the break.
Ten Hag believed United let themselves down from the very first minute of the match, pointing to a lack of belief and the wrong mentality being on display.
Although it took City eight minutes to break the deadlock, with Foden sweeping the ball home from close range, Ten Hag, who must get a reaction from his players when they face Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night, felt United let themselves down from inside the opening minute of the match.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the gaffer said:
“It is over when you start like this, from the first minute on. You are without a chance [when you start so poorly]. Without belief on the pitch, no spirit and you are not brave on the ball you will get hammered by a good team like City, that’s clear. It starts with that [a lack of belief].”
“Watching the first goal back, we won the ball in a good position on the field and we could have countered them, but we gave the ball away and the reaction after was like a pack of cards.”
Manchester United didn’t continue the momentum they had right before the International break. The defeat also ended their four-match winning streak in the league and on the other side, it strengthened Man City’s grip in the league.
The manager will have a lot to address with his players on the training ground with reports suggesting that he has allowed his players to freely criticize each other’s performance. This will help them to realize their faults and play better football in their next match.
