Man City 6-3 Man Utd: Erik ten Hag laments 'lack of belief' after heavy defeat

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said there was a "lack of belief" from his side in their 6-3 defeat to rivals Manchester City.

Despite winning their four previous Premier League matches, United were heavily beaten by City and trailed 4-0 at half-time.

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks for City while Anthony Martial and Antony netted for United.

"When you don't believe on the pitch, you can't win games," said Ten Hag.

"It's quite simple, it's a lack of belief. That is unacceptable. We get undisciplined at following rules and you get hammered, that's happened.

"For me it was a surprise. We were not on the front foot, we were not brave on the ball and there were spaces to play but we were not brave enough.

"In this moment I can't think about positives. We let our fans down, we let ourselves down and we're hugely disappointed."

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Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports the defeat was a "reminder of how far behind" they are compared to City, who sit one point below leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Since United last won the league title, City have won it five times, including the last two in a row.

"It is a process. It is one game. Maybe against other teams the problems would not come but against Manchester City they will," added Ten Hag.

"I want to change the head and the attitude from the team. There was a reaction in the second half. We were more brave and scored three goals. Only from mistakes you learn."

City imposed their dominance very quickly and led 4-0 by half-time. Former England defender Jonathan Woodgate said on BBC Radio 5 Live it was "absolutely embarrassing for Manchester United".

Ex-United captain Roy Keane added on Sky Sports: "I am shocked at how poor United have been. They just didn't start well. It is brilliant from Manchester City but it is like the game is too big for Manchester United. The occasion has got too big for them.

"I can't believe how bad Manchester United have been. They should be embarrassed."

'United are showing Ronaldo disrespect'

Keane has also accused the club of "showing disrespect" to Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving him sitting on the substitutes' bench.

The 37-year-old Portuguese, who has started just one Premier League game this season, did not make it on to the pitch during Sunday's match with Ten Hag later revealing he did not use him as a mark of respect.

However Keane, who played alongside Ronaldo during his first spell at Old Trafford, insists the reverse is true and that the club would have been better off allowing him to leave during the summer just a year after his return.

He told Sky Sports: "I think United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo. They should have let him go when the opportunity came.

"He did have options to go, I know that for a fact, and holding on to him to sit on the bench I think is ridiculous for a player of his stature. This idea that he'd no options is rubbish, he did have options, four or five very good options.

"I think the manager is holding on to him - OK, you say you need options, but you don't hold on to Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He's one of the greatest players ever.

"Today the manager, he brought Martial on and he scored two, so yeah, that's justified, but generally speaking, the bigger picture, he's not going to play Ronaldo, we know that. It's just going to get uglier as the season goes on."

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