Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted United can still make the top four despite the 3-1 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League, MySportDab reports.
Struggling in the 6th place on the table, Manchester United needed a win against their cross-city rivals to boost their top-four chances.
Marcus Rashford gave the away side the lifeline with a superb strike from 20 yards that hit the crossbar and slid into the back of the net.
United tenuously held onto the lead till the break before Phil Foden’s masterclass turned the game around. Foden struck twice in the second half to cancel out Rashford’s opener and return City to the lead.
Erling Haaland added City’s third goal late in the game to seal the win for the home side as United strumbled yet again recording a second straight Premier League defeat after the loss to Fulham.
The loss to City has seen the club drift far off the race for a top-four this season. They are 6th on the Premier League table with 44 points, 11 points away from Aston Villa in the 4th position.
Despite the setback, Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United can still gatecrash the top-four race.
Speaking after the game, the Dutch insisted United had a better game against their more dominant city rivals and there could be a quick turnaround for a top-four place despite the loss.
“It can be a quick turnaround,’ Ten Hag said. ‘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. This year on we are really progressing and you have to get some points back. Everyone can beat everyone,” he said.
Based on permutations, Manchester United could be ruled out of the race for a top finish this season with Aston Villa and Newcastle United showing no sign of slowing down.
However, nothing can be concluded at this point with 11 matches left before the end of the season.
