Erik ten Hag has taken plenty of positives away from the performance of his Manchester United side despite suffering a 3-1 away defeat to rival Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Although Man City boasted 74% possession, 18 shots on goal and 12 corners in the first 45 minutes, the Red Devils entered half time in front courtesy of a stunning 25-yard strike from Marcus Rashford in the eighth minute.
However, it was backs against the walls for Man United after the interval and they failed to register a single shot on goal in the second half, while they struggled to escape their own half as Man City dominated proceedings in the final third.
United's resolute backline was eventually breached on the 55-minute mark when Phil Foden arrowed a wonderful strike from the edge of the area beyond the outstretched Andre Onana into the top corner.
City continued to push forward and turned the contest on its head 10 minutes from time when man-of-the-match Foden slotted a left-footed finish into the bottom corner, before Erling Haaland sealed the victory with a composed side-footed strike.
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While Man City had a total of 27 shots, 74% possession, made 728 passes, had 15 corners and boasted an xG of 3.32 throughout the 90 minutes, Man United, in stark contrast, has only three shots, 26% possession, made 228 passess, had two corners and an xG of just 0.26.
Despite that, Ten Hag believes that his side executed their gameplan, but they ultimately came up against the better opponent on the afternoon.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the Dutchman said: "I think [it was a] good performance from our side. We went 1-0 up and [played] according to the plan. We had our moments after it as well, to go for a second one.
"I think we defended very well. But then [there were] two I will say defining moments where we almost make a breakthrough and we conceded the first goal and also the second goal after also a defining moment, when Garnacho is through on the break. So yeah, then you are disappointed.
"We have to accept it, but it is what it is. But still, I think we had the opportunity to at least get one point, but also a win was possible."
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Ten Hag added: "It's about getting behind the defending line and with the speed from [Alejandro] Garnacho and Rashford. And I think that went very well – we were already up after a couple of minutes.
"Good breakthrough from Garnacho, Rashford was in the perfect scoring position and then, quickly after the goal from Rashford, we had our moments and more throughout all the game.
"I think also [in] defending, we closed the middle very good, we defended the box very good. So the performance from our side was very good."
Discussing the severity of the defeat on their top-four hopes, Ten Hag added: "From this year on, we are really progressing and you have to get some points back. Everyone can beat everyone and things can quickly turn around.
"Number five [fifth position in the league] can also be a position for Champions League so we have to fight for it!"
Man United, who remain sixth in the Premier League table, 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and six behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, will endeavour to return to winning ways when they play host to Everton in their next top-flight match on Saturday lunchtime.
Oliver Thomas
