Manchester United are prepping for an important week of Premier League football with Newcastle up first.
02.10.2022 - 19:57 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Erik ten Hag has slammed his Manchester United players for their abject performances in a 6-3 thrashing by Man City on Sunday afternoon. Hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden secured the three points for Pep Guardiola's side, as United netted twice late on to ease the extent of their hammering.
United found themselves down by four goals at half-time but managed to 'win' the second-half against a City side who had taken their foot off the gas by then.
A late double by Anthony Martial at least managed to take the slight edge off the emphatic defeat, but Ten Hag did not use it as an excuse to look beyond his side's pathetic display.
READ MORE: United player ratings vs City
"It's quite simple, it's a lack of belief," the United manager told Match of the Day. "When you don't believe on the pitch then you can't win games, that is unacceptable. We get undisciplined at following rules and you get hammered, that's happened today.
"For me it was a surprise. We were not on the front foot, we were not brave on the ball and there were spaces to play but we were not brave enough.
"All the credit to City, but it's nothing to do with City, our performance was not good. It had to do with the belief as individuals and as team.
"From the first minute I felt it and at half-time we changed things and we changed attitude. We saw a different Manchester United after half-time and we scored goals, we created some more. On the ball we were more brave, we came in the opponent's half and we scored three goals.
"In this moment I can't think about positives. We let our fans down, we let ourselves down and we're hugely disappointed."
NEXT UP:
Manchester United are prepping for an important week of Premier League football with Newcastle up first.
Eric Bailly has revealed that Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford were the two players who 'blew him away' during his time at Manchester United.
Anthony Martial did not train on Wednesday ahead of Manchester United's match against Omonia in the Europa League.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he is concerned over Jadon Sancho's form at the club after the winger was dropped by Erik ten Hag.
Here are your Manchester United morning headlines on Monday, October 10.
Former Manchester City defender Richard Dunne has slammed Manchester United's players for pandering to Cristiano Ronaldo during their 3-2 win over Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night.
It's likely that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not be concerned with Tyrell Malacia's recent dip in form, despite being substituted at half time in his last two appearances.
Manchester United made history against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag has thanked Pep Guardiola and Manchester City "for the lesson" they handed his Manchester United side at the Etihad on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes insists Manchester United's confidence levels remain high despite the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri has insisted that he is 'eager' to play a role for the club this season under manager Erik ten Hag.
Manchester City hit arch-rivals Manchester United for six on Sunday afternoon, with the Blues blowing Erik ten Hag's side away in the Premier League. Hat-tricks from both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden helped the Blues on their way, with Anthony Martial (2) and Antony completing the scoring in a nine-goal thriller.
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has criticised Manchester United's players following the Manchester derby defeat on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes a lack of belief shown by his players from the very first whistle was the catalyst for their humiliating 6-3 derby defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The 188th Manchester derby did not go the way Manchester United - or Erik ten Hag - wanted it to. Despite scoring three goals away at Manchester City, the Reds were well-beaten by Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday afternoon as they fell to a 6-3 defeat in the Premier League clash.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has dismissed suggestions that Brazilian midfielder Casemiro should have started for Erik ten Hag's side against Manchester City on Sunday.