Manchester United can still qualify for next season’s Champions League despite languishing 11 points behind Aston Villa, according to Erik ten Hag.
A defiant United boss claimed that they fell on the wrong side of two ‘debatable’ calls by Andrew Madley in the build-up to Manchester City’s opening two goals during Sunday's 3-1 defeat.
And Ten Hag believes he saw enough from an injury-ravaged squad that they can gatecrash the top four.
‘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 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.’
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United can still make the Champions League despite 3-1 defeat
The loss in the Manchester derby has left Ten Hag's side 11 points behind Aston Villa in fourth
The Dutchman revealed that both goalscorer Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans were taken off while the game was 1-1 because of fitness concerns, revealing that neither player was 100 per cent fit.
Rashford and Evans had fought to prove their fitness for the derby and United will now attempt to recover the pair ahead of the weekend.
Ten Hag defended his pragmatic tactical approach, with United having registered just 26 per cent possession and Rashford’s early wonder strike as their only shot on target.
‘You can be proactive while defending,’ he said. ‘We had our moments. We defended brilliantly. We were really close to winning or at least get a draw here. The defining moments didn’t go on our side.’
Ten Hag meant Madley not giving fouls for Rashford’s tangle with Kyle Walker ahead of City’s equaliser before Ederson’s challenge on Alejandro Garnacho moments prior to the hosts going ahead.
Jonny Evans was withdrawn from the action when the game was even because of fitness issues
The Man United boss hit out at two ‘debatable’ calls by the referee Andrew Madley on Sunday
‘There was contact,’ Ten Hag said of the first. ‘I’ve seen it back and it was very soft. But you understand that when you’re at full speed and you get a little touch then you’re out of control and that is what’s happened.
‘The togetherness and the performance was very good. On another day we could have won this - small margins.’