United had won four Premier League games on the spin prior to the weekend’s 6-3 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Our domestic form was a welcome response from the defeats to Brighton and Brentford that had made for a difficult start to Ten Hag’s reign.
The heavy nature of our defeat in the derby will have no doubt knocked the confidence built up in that period, however.
Speaking in his post-match press conference on Sunday afternoon, Ten Hag says that the setback is “normal” in the process for United, who are still in the early stage of the project under the Dutchman.