Man United have a 'world against us' mentality right now because there is 'a lot of anger' around Old Trafford after tough start to the season, Chris Sutton claims on It's All Kicking Off

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United have a 'world against us' mentality right now, claims Chris Sutton. 

United put a turbulent week off the pitch to one side on Wednesday night as they beat Chelsea to go within three points of rivals Man City. 

While co-host of Mail Sport's It's All Kicking Off Podcast, Ian Ladyman, said that there remains a clear 'chasm' between City and United in terms of quality, Sutton is intrigued by the siege mentality brewing over at Old Trafford.

'There seems to be a lot of anger at Manchester United at this moment in time, that the world is against us and, you know, there seems from the outside to be problems within the camp,' Sutton said.

Earlier this week Manchester United took the draconian step of banning media outlets from Ten Hag’s press conference.

United took drastic action against Sky Sports, the Mirror, ESPN and the Manchester Evening News over reports that United players are beginning to turn on manager Ten Hag.

They channeled that 'anger' into an improved performance on Wednesday night, with Scott McTominay's brace enough to seal a 2-1 win. 

'There was a reaction [to the loss at Newcastle],' Sutton continued. 

'Watching the highlights on Match of the Day, you're quite right, it was a very open game. 

'But was it just me seeing from the highlights, but the players were running. They were putting it in.'

United's players - particularly Marcus Rashford, who was dropped to the bench against Chelsea - were heavily criticised for their effort level in defeat at Newcastle.

Now they head into the weekend looking to close the three-point gap on the top four. 

'It's strange how a league table can lie sometimes because you and I know there's a chasm between those two football clubs,' Ladyman said of City, sat in fourth on 30 points, and United, sixth on 27 points. 

'But it's a good week, a better night for United, and they've got a chance on Saturday to double down on that.'

United welcome AFC Bournemouth to Old Trafford this weekend.