Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United have fallen some way in the pecking order in recent years in relation to the dominant standards they have set since the Premier League's inception.  

Ten Hag arrived in English football with a shaky start with back-to-back defeats, but recovered well to have a tangible impact at one of the Premier League's biggest fallen giants. 

He ended Manchester United's trophy-drought to win a Carabao Cup by beating Newcastle in the 2023 showpiece and qualified for the Champions League. 

However, the second campaign has not quite gone to plan, with the Red Devils struggling to match their exploits in sixth in the table and out of Europe at the earliest possibility. 

While they were able to bounce back from defeat against Fulham with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, there is a stern test indeed coming this weekend. 

Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United have 'fallen' down in the standards

United travel to bitter nemesis Manchester City on Sunday where they face one of the form teams in the country in a bid to strengthen their own hopes of an unlikely top four finish. 

'The club has fallen down in the standards, but now we are back. I have already seen some examples of how (INEOS) can support us to really set that right standard. 

'We know when performances are not right we have to look in the mirror, to tell each other the truth and get things right. 

'There are always many fans away and home standing behind us, but it starts with us; we have to put energy into the stands and then it comes back.'

United had gone unbeaten in 2024 before a dramatic late defeat to Fulham last Saturday saw them fall for the first time. 

They will now be looking to right the ship in arguably the toughest test of the Premier League calendar, and will likely do so without eight first-team stars. 

The club have as many as five defensive injuries, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw among the casualties, while Mason Mount's poor first term at Old Trafford continues with the England midfielder on the treatment table. 

Last summer's £72million signing Rasmus Hojlund has found his shooting boots and leads the goals tally at United, but he too is sidelined, though it only thought to be a short-term problem for the Danish striker.

But away from the pressures of his day job, Ten Hag has given an insight into how he spends his time off - and how his wife took revenge on him!

Speaking to Dion Dublin, the Dutch manager revealed how he likes to go cycling, and does so with his wife.  

'Here I have electric, at home I have a normal one,' he said. 'I always when I was biking with my wife - she hates it - I was always 20 yards ahead.

'Then she said "OKI have electric, and now she's the one (racing ahead)!" then we each got one if we want to bike together.'