'Absolutely not' - Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag insists derby defeat to City did not lay bare gulf in class between two rivals

The United boss pointed to injuries and "small margins" following the 3-1 loss at the Etihad. Marcus Rashford had given his side an early lead with a sublime long-range strike, but City dominated thereafter and claimed derby bragging rights with three second-half goals.

However, speaking after the game, Ten Hag insisted that the result and City's supremacy in the game did not reflect an overall gulf in class between the Manchester rivals.

"No, I don’t think so, absolutely not," he responded when asked if there was a clear gap between them.

"We have many problems in injuries and still we had an opportunity. Really small margins, we could have scored the second goal in a debatable moment [when Rashford went down before City's equaliser].

"We can be competitive and we showed in theFA Cupfinal against them when it was close but City is in this moment, don’t forget this; they are the best team in the world."

City outperformed their neighbours in basically every statistical metric as they piled the pressure on after going behind so early to Rashford's strike. Ten Hag's side had just 26 percent of the possession, 60 fewer touches in the opposition penalty area and only attempted one shot after the 23rd minute. The also completed a massive 223 fewer passes than their rivals, per Opta.

The result leaves United down in sixth, 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa with 11 games to go, and thus facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League. City, meanwhile, sit 18 points ahead of them in second place.

Finishing in fifth place could also provide a Champions League place depending on the UEFA coefficient, but United are still six points behind current occupiers Tottenham, who have a game in hand. The Red Devils will look to get their pursuit back on track when they host Everton on Saturday.