What Erik ten Hag told ‘unacceptable’ Manchester United stars after derby defeat

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag urged his team to ‘rip into one another’ after the side’s dismal derby day defeat to Manchester City.

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The Dutchman slammed his side’s ‘unacceptable’ performance during the side’s 6-3 loss to City at the Etihad on Sunday.

United had won four on the bounce before the clash but their momentum was halted as Pep Guardiola’s men reasserted their superiority.

The Red Devils had steadied the ship after a shocking start, which saw Ten Hag win Manager of the Month for September.

But the Dutchman says he wants to see more internal questioning from his players now following the defeat at the Etihad, with Ten Hag encouraging his squad to rip into one another.

‘It’s an open door – this performance was unacceptable,’ the United manager told MUTV, the club’s in-house television channel, when asked if he wanted more from his players.

‘As a team and as individuals, we will criticise each other [on Monday] and then we will learn the lessons and we have to do better, starting the next game.

‘I think it’s good that a team like City gives you the status where you are in this moment. ‘It’s clear we did well against top teams like Liverpool and Arsenal, when we were disciplined and we followed the rules and principles, we had belief to play and we were on the front foot defending.

‘Then you can bring a good performance and that can bring a result. When you don’t, when you are not on the front foot, when you are not brave to play, you get a result as today.’

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