Erik ten Hag ‘will be in tears’ on bus home as Manchester United set unwanted record following Chelsea defeat

Erik ten Hag was reportedly in tears on the bus home after Manchester United’s capitulation at Stamford Bridge.

That’s what talkSPORT’s Dean Saunders said after the Red Devils squandered victory during a frantic two-minute spell deep into added time on Thursday night.

A quick injury-time brace from Cole Palmer gave Chelsea an improbable 4-3 victory after United looked determined to complete the double against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Palmer scored a hat-trick on the night, taking advantage of United’s suspect defending in the dying seconds, leaving Ten Hag stunned at the final whistle.

United were ahead with 99 minutes and 17 seconds on the clock, but a stunning turnaround saw Chelsea score twice to take the lead at 100 minutes and 39 seconds – the last winning goal in Premier League history.

Former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker Saunders criticized United’s approach in the closing stages and said Ten Hag would have been in tears during the long journey back to Manchester.

“I know how Erik ten Hag feels on that bus on the way home,” Saunders told talkSPORT. “Honestly, you want to cry, you feel so bad, you feel sick.

“Sitting at the front of the bus is my fault, I should have done something.

“You lead 3-2, certain rules apply. Full-backs don’t go at Chelsea when you’re leading 3-2. Sit where you are and just move the ball forward.

“Don’t play from the back with five minutes to go when you’re winning. Why take the risk, you don’t need to score. It’s like they don’t understand it. »

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Defeat in west London will likely prove costly for United and their hopes of mounting a late bid for Champions League qualification.

A victory would have seen them fall eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand, but they now face the grim prospect of having to overturn an 11-point deficit to Unai Emery’s side.

Saunders has launched a tirade over the club’s ‘failing’ stars and claims top brass have left rebuilding the team too late.

“I get angry talking about Man United, but they need a complete rebuild,” he added.

“They should have done it five years ago, they did it too late. There are still players who have failed and failed and failed.

“There are players out there who have failed on £300,000 a week and don’t know how to cross the winning line.”