Erik ten Hag was trying to look at the plusses after defeat to Manchester City (Picture: Getty Images)
Chris Sutton has labelled Erik ten Hag ‘deluded’ for believing Manchester United are progressing, predicting that the manager will not be in charge at Old Trafford next season.
The Red Devils were beaten 3-1 at Manchester City on Sunday, taking an early lead through Marcus Rashford, but conceding second half goals to Phil Foden (two) and Erling Haaland.
The defeat was no surprise, but left Manchester United sixth in the Premier League and 11 points off the top four.
Ten Hag was reasonably positive after the game, denying that the match showed there was a huge gap between the Manchester clubs.
‘No, I don’t think so, absolutely not,’ of a vast difference between the sides. ‘You can see we have many problems in injuries and still we had an opportunity to win the game.
‘It’s a case of really small margins, we could have scored the second goal in a debatable moment. It’s not that big [the gap] and when we have everyone on board we can be competitive. I think also we showed that in last season’s FA Cup final against them when it was really close but City, in this moment, the best team in the world. Don’t forget this.’
Sutton disagreed, telling Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast: ‘Erik ten Hag is deluded. I think Man United have done a full circle under him. His first Manchester derby they lost 6-3 and I predicted a cricket score that day and I went for that again yesterday.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden ruined Ten Hag’s Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Man City are so far ahead of Man United (but) the biggest concern – and I appreciate managers have to put a positive spin on things – is listening to Ten Hag saying things like “we are progressing, that was a good performance”.
‘If I was a Man United fan I would really be questioning what the manager is saying and the way the team are playing.
‘The truth is I don’t think anyone sees a future for Erik ten Hag (at United) beyond this season.’
Ten Hag did claim that progress is being made at Manchester United and that his team will continue to fight for a return to the Champions League, with the possibility that fifth place in the Premier League could be enough.
Ten Hag came up short again against Guardiola (Picture: Getty Images)
‘From this year on, I think we’re really progressing,’ he said. ‘You have to get some points back and then you have to win a game like today against City.
‘There are still many games to play. Everyone can beat everyone, so things can quickly turn around. We have to win our games.
‘Number five can also be a position for the Champions League, so we have to fight for it.’
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