Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been told he's "deluded" following his comments in the aftermath of Sunday's derby defeat.
The Red Devils made the trip to the Etihad to take on local rivals and reigning champions Manchester City and despite taking the lead, left with nothing after Pep Guardiola's side ran out 3-1 winners. A Phil Foden brace and a late Erling Haaland strike were enough to ensure Marcus Rashford's wondergoal meant nothing in the end.
City displayed overwhelming dominance, with 27 shots on goal to United's three as well as the lion's share of possession. Despite this, Ten Hag heaped praise on his side at full-time, insisting they could have won the game were it not for the "small margins" and claimed the Red Devils defended "brilliantly".
Former Chelsea star and prominent pundit Chris Sutton has issued an emphatic response to Ten Hag's post-match theory. Speaking on the It's All Kicking Off podcast, he explained: "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. 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."
If the meeting on Sunday wasn't enough to highlight the huge gulf in quality between the two teams, the league table makes for grim reading from United's perspective. City sit four places above them, with an 18 point advantage and a vastly superior goal difference.
While Guardiola's side are aiming for a sixth title in seven season's, United's hopes of Champions League qualification are fading by the week. Ten Hag's men sit sixth in the table, 11 points adrift of Aston Villa who currently occupy the much-coveted fourth spot.
The fixture list isn't exactly kind to United either. Between now and the end of the campaign, Ten Hag still has to face off with fellow 'big six' outfits Liverpool and Arsenal at home, as well as a tricky trip to west London to face off with struggling Chelsea.
TanIsRed
1
Against all odds we must agree that Ten Hag has the most win ration than the other previous managers . Don't know how but he managed to do so if you guys check the stats. Maybe due to the players he isn't getting the results as he wanted or the players aren't playing as by his tactics. As well so many players are injured. Tho not liking him but he should stay for next season so that we can make or break him. Let's hope for the best. Get Going Ten Hag Get Going Manchester United 💪
Arsenal1400
0
Use 4,3,3 information
Or better 11-0-0
Wasciktz
0
Just sack him , case close
Amienu Garba
1
Surprise to see people want Eric Ten Hag to be sacked. What about the Player? people don't talk about them.
nuwacdklmn
0
Use 4,3,3 information
nuwacdklmn
0
next game Onana bench
yuubimrty
1
we are missing FRED , bring FRED back
Tobilacazette
2
Manchester is blue
Vimablmotz
0
next game onana bench
if not for Onana United could have receive seven..eight goals
ManCityFanForever
1
Manchester is Blue
nuwacdklmn
0
next game onana bench
Kowabcimpt
0
actually I m surprised what's Manager Eric ten have been done to Man understand united hopefully he must been sucks out of the team
nuwacdklmn
0
or 4,4,2 information
nuwacdklmn
0
4,3,3 good information
miidey04
0
Yeah, it’s so annoying not admitting the reality of things, we played a bad football and we’ve been playing some awful football lately which is caused by the level of the injuries…just admit that and we all understand where our problems lies…
Tamislive
0
hahaha vision lol 1 billion dollars and still crap some vision
Don't get me wrong, I don't support Travis Scott FC
Scooter86
0
True. Atleast Chelsea has a vision and currently developing a fresh culture with promising players. Again, this Chelsea project only had a long term vision when it kicked off. Otherwise not a sane person would offload all the experienced players.
hahaha vision lol 1 billion dollars and still crap some vision
Scooter86
0
At united we can change managers as many times as we want but as long we have the same crop of players Man United will remain at the same level.When Rangick said we need to change atleast 10 players he was right,changing the couch its never going to be a solution
100% about the players. this manager needs to go as well though
sapbdeklmn
3
At united we can change managers as many times as we want but as long we have the same crop of players Man United will remain at the same level.When Rangick said we need to change atleast 10 players he was right,changing the couch its never going to be a solution
adedefender
0
It is much easier to criticize than coach. Sutton should try his hands on coaching if he feels he knows too much. Now, even the failed Rooney has shamelessly joined punditry. A mess
Tamislive
0
i think even lower than Chelsea
True. Atleast Chelsea has a vision and currently developing a fresh culture with promising players. Again, this Chelsea project only had a long term vision when it kicked off. Otherwise not a sane person would offload all the experienced players.
Hizblnprsz
2
Ten hag trying very hard to divert attention on himself. He knows the axe will come down on him at end of this season. He also knew it’ll be very difficult for him to get another club to accept him next season.
JohnDuggan92
2
“Deluded” would be offended to be a word associated with Ten Hag 🤣
hiecksuy
1
the fact United play useless
ishti
3
Sometimes I watch his post match interview just for laughs. He is so clueless and his match analysis is at an elementary school level.
Vuzaclmopu
1
ten hag leave us please
TheOddOne
2
Currently MU standard is as ‘good’ as Chelsea
i think even lower than Chelsea
TheOddOne
1
10Hag is confirmed living in delululand. He is in denial his team cannot make it
Saebcimpy
1
10Hag hv to go
fourthorty430
3
Deluded is an understatement... You could have used worst adjective to qualify him
Boucdmnoz
1
Currently MU standard is as ‘good’ as Chelsea