Erik ten Hag has thanked Pep Guardiola and Manchester City for hammering Manchester United in Sunday’s derby and teaching his players a lesson.
United were soundly beaten 6-3 at the Etihad, ending a run of four straight wins that included victories over Arsenal and Liverpool.
Ten Hag believes it is part of the ups and downs he faces in trying to turn United around, and took the unusual step of thanking Guardiola for the brutal reality check.
‘I know when you’re in a process it will not go only upside, you will have setbacks.