Erik ten Hag explains reason behind Manchester United loss at Man City

Erik ten Hag has suggested that Manchester United’s lack of belief played a huge role in their massive defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

Man United’s four-match winning run came to an end after they lost heavily 6-3 to Man City at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

Two hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were enough for Manchester City to close the gap to one point behind Arsenal in the league.

United were dreadful in the first half, failed to make progressive passes and gave away sloppy passes, which resulted in City’s 4-0 lead at half-time.

The former Ajax box made some changes in the second half and Manchester United grew into the game and Antony pulled a goal back early after the interval and Anthony Martial scored a late brace to reduce whatever pains the visiting fans were enduring at the Etihad.

Ten Hag said after his first Manchester derby ended in a huge defeat: “A lack of belief… I am surprised why we didn’t bring it on the pitch, I have seen a different team spirit and we did not look convinced. I have to talk to my players and find out why.

“If you don’t fight – which we didn’t – you are going to have a problem against Manchester City. This is different to Brentford, that day we didn’t run. Today we wanted to run but there was a lack of belief.

Ten Hag: "It's quite simple, it's a lack of belief. 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." [bbc]

— utdreport (@utdreport) October 2, 2022

“If you don’t fight – which we didn’t – you are going to have a problem against Manchester City. This is different to Brentford, that day we didn’t run. Today we wanted to run but there was a lack of belief.” 

Manchester United were in great need of goals in the second half, having trailed 4-0 at half-time to Pep Guardiola’s men, but Erik ten Hag decided against bringing Cristiano Ronaldo in order to hand more minutes to Anthony Martial, who returned from a long-term calf injury.

After the game, the Dutchman revealed that the reason he left Ronald on the bench was due to the respect he has for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career.

“I wouldn’t bring him in because out of respect for Cristiano, for his big career, and the other thing was the advantage I could bring Anthony Martial, he needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that,” said Erik ten Hag.