Erik ten Hag might have to drop one of Manchester United's untouchables

A big defeat requires a big response and defeats don't get much bigger than a humiliation at the hands of your local neighbours.

While conceding six to Manchester City is nowhere near as much of a shock or as momentous as it was over a decade ago, Manchester United simply can't take a defeat like that lying down. Only a returning Antony Martial eager to get amongst the goals and a Blues backline that had switched off saved them any face on Sunday, with a 6-3 defeat an extremely flattering scoreline for the visitors.

Erik ten Hag has had to quickly get used to the sour taste of embarrassment as United boss but the last time his side went in at half-time 4-0 down - just a few weeks back and in far more shocking fashion at Brentford - it did have its benefits in the aftermath. The humbling made it clear that more was needed in the transfer window so in came Antony and Casemiro and it also made some things plain to the manager: that he can't play his ideal style of play with what's at his disposal and which players needed to make way.

READ MORE: Ronaldo is a test of Ten Hag's nerve now Martial is back

The Dutchman made the necessary changes. A pragmatic approach was implemented while Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw came out of the side and it made a massive difference immediately. The defeat was followed by a spirited victory over Liverpool which sparked a four-game winning streak, concluding with becoming the first team to get three points against Arsenal this season.

The positive reaction bred so much confidence that it felt as though United actually had a chance against City before kick-off. That didn't turn out to be the case, of course, but now Ten Hag has another opportunity to spark a similarly positive