Despite Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City in the derby, manager Erik ten Hag insists that the gap between the two teams is not as significant as it may seem.
Despite taking an early lead at the Etihad Stadium, United were eventually outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s side. The defeat adds to United’s struggles this season, with the team currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, 18 points behind City, who are vying for their fourth consecutive title.
Ten Hag, who has lost four out of five games against City since taking charge, including a 3-0 defeat earlier this season and a 6-3 loss last term, maintains that the difference between the teams is marginal.
When asked if the defeat emphasized the gap between United and City, Ten Hag responded, “No, I don’t think so, absolutely not. We have many problems now with injuries, and still, we had opportunities. It’s a very slim margin. We could have scored the second goal. We could have scored the second goal in a debatable moment and in the second debatable moment.”
He emphasized that with a fully fit squad, United can be competitive, as demonstrated in previous matches, such as the FA Cup final. However, he acknowledged City’s current status as the best team globally.
Ten Hag faces pressure to deliver strong results for the remainder of the season, as speculation mounts about his future at the club. While he has not been able to narrow the gap to City since his arrival, he did secure the Carabao Cup last season, ending the club’s trophy drought.
Despite the setback in the derby, Ten Hag remains determined to chase down their rivals, especially with the possibility of securing Champions League qualification through a fifth-place finish.
Reflecting on their upcoming fixtures, he stated, “It can be a quick turnaround. We go to another final [against Everton next Saturday] and try to get closer. We have to go for it, We have to win our games. Fifth position can also be a position for the Champions League, so we have to fight for it.”
United has struggled to surpass City in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, despite significant spending in the transfer market. Guardiola empathized with the pressure facing managers at Old Trafford, acknowledging the expectations at big clubs.
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