Ten Hag: We’re still in hunt for top four

MANCHESTER UNITED can still qualify for next season’s Champions League despite languishing 11 points behind Aston Villa, according to Erik ten Hag. The defiant United boss claimed his team were on the wrong side of two ‘debatable’ calls by referee Andrew Madley in the build-up to Manchester City’s opening two goals of yesterday’s 3-1 loss. And Ten Hag believes he saw enough from his injury-ravaged squad to think they can still gatecrash the top four. ‘It can be a quick turnaround,’ he said. ‘We go to another final (against Everton on 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 the Champions League so we have to fight for it. ‘We are really progressing and you have to get some points back. Everyone can beat everyone.’ The Dutchman confirmed goalscorer Marcus Rashford and defender Jonny Evans were taken off with the game at 1-1 because of injury concerns, revealing neither was 100 per cent fit. They had both fought to prove their readiness for the derby and United will now help them recover for next weekend. Ten Hag defended his pragmatic tactical approach, with United registering just 26 per cent possession and Rashford’s early wonder strike 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 in the game didn’t go on our side.’ Ten Hag was referring to Madley not giving fouls for Rashford’s tangle with Kyle Walker ahead of City’s equaliser and Ederson’s challenge on Alejandro Garnacho moments prior to the hosts going ahead. ‘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 happened. ‘The togetherness and the performance were good. On another day we could have won — small margins.’