'Pathetic!' - Erik ten Hag hits out at Sky Sports question after Man United defeat vs Arsenal

Erik ten Hag has lashed out after Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds suffered a club record-extending 14th Premier League defeat of a nightmare campaign which sees the club on course for their lowest finish in more than 30 years. United sit eighth in the table with their current position not good enough to secure European football for next season unless they win the FA Cup.

A first-half goal from Leandro Trossard settled the contest at Old Trafford with Ten Hag's team having only two league matches left before their cup final against Manchester City on May 25. Newcastle will be the visitors next on Wednesday evening before a final day trip to Brighton.

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READ MORE: Erik ten Hag explains why Manchester United cannot progress after Arsenal loss

And Ten Hag was not keen to be drawn on hypothetical scenarios about his injury-ravaged squad after Sunday's defeat. The Dutchman responded with frustration when asked how big the gap to Arsenal would be if he had a fully fit squad.

"That is pathetic," he said. "We don’t have to answer this question in this moment. Because it isn’t.

"We have these problems and the problems have caused us an effect in results. But I don’t know where we would be if we had the players on board.

"If we had all of the players on board, we will get more points and have more consistency in the backline."

In a separate interview post-match, Ten Hag said: "Any manager can do better but also I am two years here and I have one time had a full group of players. You can't progress a team in certain key areas with so many injuries. It's like swimming with your hands on your back and you have to keep your head above the water level, that is what we try to do.

"We are still in a cup final. This is good. But if you want to progress a team you need fit players and you see our opponent today, they had only one not 100 per cent match-fit player and we had so many.

"I don't like reactions but you have to always be there, you have to always be spot on when you are Man United. But if it happens, you need a reaction and the players gave the reaction."