Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag rues ‘worst defeat’ but vows to fight on

Erik ten Hag acknowledged Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace was the lowest point of their season so far but insisted he remained the right man to turn around the fortunes of the club.

Injury-hit United suffered their heaviest loss of the campaign as Michael Olise, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, run amok at Selhurst Park with a dazzling two-goal display.

Olise broke the deadlock in the 12th minute and made it 4-0 with 24 minutes left, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were on target in between for Oliver Glasner’s team.

It was another sorry display from Ten Hag’s side and eighth-placed United could be set for their lowest ever Premier League finish.

United finished seventh in the 2013-14 campaign – the first after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson – on 64 points, but they can no longer reach that total and trail sixth-placed Newcastle by two points with three games left.

Asked if he believed he was the right person to restore United’s fortunes, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “Absolutely. And if the right players are there, available, we have a good squad, but we miss almost the whole back line and then we have problems.

“It is very disappointing. Under-performing. Definitely the worst defeat. We should have done better.

“We are aware, as a team performance, we were not correct, making big mistakes and not following the plan and the script and the rules we have.

“Yes (a low point), it was very poor how we gave the goals away, especially when we prepare the team and the conceding of the first goal is very disappointing.”

United arrived in south London without Harry Maguire and captain Bruno Fernandes, but veteran Jonny Evans was fit enough to start and he partnered