Man United manager Erik ten Hag snubs watching rivals Man City play in Champions League for dinner with his wife at his favourite Italian restaurant, four days before the Manchester derby

• Man City played Young Boys on Wednesday ahead of the Manchester derby
• Erik ten Hag did not watch the game, as he went out for dinner with his wife
• Follow Mail Sport’s new Man United WhatsApp channel for all the breaking news 

Erik ten Had opted against watching Manchester City’s 3-1 win against Young Boys on Wednesday night ahead of this weekend’s derby as he went out for dinner with his wife instead.

Manchester United are set to face Pep Guardiola’s City at Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to continue their run of three straight wins either side of the international break.

The Red Devils delivered an unconvincing display as they edged past FC Copenhagen 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, which may have only added to fans’ concerns prior to playing the Premier League champions.

Many may have expected Ten Hag to sit down and watch City in action in Switzerland on Wednesday to get another look at how Guardiola’s men may look to set up against his team this weekend.

But Ten Hag cut a relaxed figure as he attended his favourite Italian restaurant Piccolino with his wife Bianca, while City went about their work against Young Boys.

Erik ten Hag went to his favourite Italian restaurant Piccolino on Wednesday night

He held the door open for his fellow diners as he left the restaurant at 8.10pm

Ten Hag looked to be in good spirits as he left the restaurant alongside his wife Bianca (centre)

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The couple went for an early dinner, but did not leave the restaurant until 8.10pm when City’s game was already well underway.

As Ten Hag left, the Dutchman held the entrance door open for his fellow diners, but one insisted he should leave first.

There appeared to be no mix-up on this occasion, unlike the previous evening when he unintentionally snubbed a handshake from TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods after she had interviewed him.

He quickly noticed his mistake, and made amends, while Woods saw the funny side of the awkward encounter. 

Seeing Ten Hag in good spirits is a positive sign for the Red Devils after a difficult start to the season that has seen them lose six of their 13 matches across all competitions.

The team had hoped to build on a positive first campaign under Ten Hag when they  won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League.

Ten Hag opted not to watch Man City as they beat Young Boys 3-1 ahead of the Manchester derby, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in the second half

But they have struggled to hit the same heights so far this term, heaping the pressure on Ten Hag, who has also had to deal with several off-field issues.

His side will now face the ultimate test when they go up against City on Sunday, with Guardiola’s side making another strong start to the season.

They beat Young Boys 3-1 to maintain their perfect record in this season’s Champions League, and Ten Hag may be glad that he wasn’t watching.

The match saw Erling Haaland continue his lethal form in front of goal after a brief dip before the international break, as he struck twice in the second half to wrap up all three points for last year’s Treble winners. 

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