Manchester United players turned on Erik ten Hag and questioned his tactical approach in Sunday’s painful derby loss to Manchester City.

After the match, the United boss explained that Jonny Evans – signed as a free agent this summer for defensive cover – started ahead of Raphael Varane because of tactical reasons while that was the same explanation for why left-back Sergio Reguilon did not play, forcing Victor Lindelof to play in the unfamiliar position.

Further up the pitch, captain Bruno Fernandes started in a wide right position – meaning that he was not in his strongest area in the centre of the pitch. That meant the club’s second most expensive ever signing Antony did not start – the Brazilian was seen shaking his head during the match.

The names on the teamsheet had left some scratching their heads. Ten Hag said ahead of the match, explaining the somewhat odd line-up: “It’s tactical. It’s not the argument to make their selection [their experience], it’s tactical and that’s the answer.”

Away from the defence, there were also questions levelled at Ten Hag for the make-up of his midfield against Man City. Christian Eriksen, Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay accounted for a midfield trio, with big-money summer signing Mason Mount benched.

Ten Hag’s tactical gambles did not pay off as United were soundly trounced by three goals. Erling Haaland bagged a double for City while Phil Foden also found the net in a convincing victory, which left many questioning United’s general direction. A report in the Sun outlines how many United stars inside the dressing room were left questioning the manager’s approach.

Former United captain Roy Keane was scathing in his analysis of the side after the match: “They are short in every aspect — technically, tactically.” Keane also took aim at current captain Fernandes, saying that he should not have inherited the status at the club.

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Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, speaking on beIn Sports, also questioned United: “I don’t see where they can improve, basically. This team has lost confidence, quality and even spirit. I believe where Man Utd suffers a lot, first of all is about the quality, the individual quality of the players. And I felt they were very poor to build the game up from the back.

“They gave the ball so many times to the goalkeeper when they had possibilities to play forward. I would say it started there. Then you make the whole team uncertain and lack confidence because, when you feel the fear is behind, they do not want the ball. The second part of their big problem was that the distances between the striker and the defenders were huge.”

Erik ten Hag left with egg on his face as confusing Man Utd plan comes undone vs Man City

For his part, Ten Hag once again insisted on Sunday that his side would not play the same style as the Ajax side he brought to the last four of the Champions League in 2019. Asked if he was trying to implement that same approach, he replied: “Never. We will never play that football because those were different players. This is also not why I came here.

“We are playing different football than I showed at Ajax because I have to, because I can’t play the same way. The players decide how you play. Ajax has a very typical and characteristic style of play, with Manchester United I will always show different football. We play much more direct football here because I have the players for that here.”