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Manchester United can still qualify for next season’s Champions League despite being 11 points behind Aston Villa, according to Erik ten Hag.
A defiant United manager claimed they got on the wrong end of two “arguable” calls from Andrew Madley in the build-up to Manchester City’s first two goals during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat.
And ten Hag believes he saw enough of a team ravaged by injuries to be able to sneak into the top four.
“It can be a quick turnaround,” ten Hag said. ‘We are going to another final (against Everton next Saturday) and we will try to get closer. We have to try. 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 onwards we are making a lot of progress and we have to recover some points. Everyone can beat everyone.’
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United can still reach Champions League despite 3-1 defeat
The defeat in the Manchester derby leaves Ten Hag’s team 11 points behind Aston Villa in fourth place
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The Dutchman revealed that both goalscorer Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans were withdrawn while the match was 1-1 due to fitness issues, revealing that neither player was 100 per cent.
Rashford and Evans had struggled to prove their derby fitness and United will now look to get them back before the weekend.
Ten Hag defended his pragmatic tactical approach, with United recording just 26 per cent possession and Rashford’s early wonder goal his only shot on target.
“You can be proactive while defending,” he said. ‘We had our moments. We defended brilliantly. We were very close to winning or at least tying here. “The decisive moments were not on our side.”
Ten Hag meant Madley was free from fouls for Rashford’s tangle with Kyle Walker before City’s equalizer before Ederson’s challenge on Alejandro Garnacho moments before the hosts took the lead.
Jonny Evans was withdrawn from action when the game was tied due to fitness issues.
Man United boss criticized two “debatable” decisions by referee Andrew Madley on Sunday
“There was contact,” ten Hag said of the first. ‘I’ve seen it again and it was very smooth. But you understand that when you’re at full speed and you get a little touch then you’re out of control and that’s what happened.
‘The coexistence and the performance were very good. On another day we could have won this, by small margins.’
