Erik ten Hag handed his Manchester United players four different punishments after Sunday’s derby humiliation against Manchester City, according to reports. United were outfought and outclassed at Old Trafford, collapsing to a 3-0 defeat against their bitter rivals to ramp up pressure on Ten Hag.
The Red Devils made a lively start, but a contentious VAR penalty decision helped Erling Haaland fire City into a first-half lead in front of the Stretford End.
But there was nothing controversial about Haaland’s second after United’s makeshift, injury-stricken defence left Europe’s most prolific goalscorer unmarked for a free header.
The 23-year-old was involved again for City’s third, putting the ball on a plate for Phil Foden. Pep Guardiola’s young pair enjoying derby delight has become a familiar sight.
United have now lost seven of their opening 14 games in all competitions this season, including five in 10 Premier League outings.
It leaves Ten Hag’s side eighth, eight points behind fourth-place Liverpool and trailing leaders Tottenham Hotspur by 11.
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And the Dutchman made his fury known after full-time at the weekend, starting a string of sanctions in the dressing room.
According to The Sun, Ten Hag made his United players sit in silence so they could hear City’s celebrations across the tunnel and the away fans in fine voice in the stands.
He then ripped into his stars for their second-half performance, contributing to one of his darkest days as United boss to date.
The report adds that Ten Hag had planned to reward the squad with a bonus day off on Monday if they had triumphed in the derby at Old Trafford for the second successive season.
However, that plan was unsurprisingly cancelled, and he hauled players into Carrington on Monday for further analysis to start preparations for Wednesday’s crucial Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle United.
It’s also been claimed the United players have been told they will have extra homework in the aftermath of the City defeat to help learn where they went wrong against Guardiola’s treble winners.
United are enduring their worst start to a season since 1986/87 when Ron Atkinson was sacked and replaced by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson.
A Carabao Cup exit in a repeat of February’s successful final would inflict further damage in what Ten Hag will view as a must-win encounter against Newcastle.
