Manchester United's inquest into Sunday's humiliating derby defeat by Man City begins this Monday at Carrington.
Red Devils stars arrived at the club's training ground looking glum this morning, where they will speak with the boss Erik ten Hag and go through exactly what went wrong at the Etihad, where they were battered 6-3 by their rivals.
Ten Hag has encouraged his players and staff to tear into each other on the back of the defeat and to get all problems out in the open. "It's an open door - this performance was unacceptable," the United manager explained on MUTV.
"As a team and as individuals, we will criticise each other [on Monday] and then we will learn the lessons and we have to do better, starting the next game."
Ten Hag also provided some insight into what he will say to his players in their private meeting this Monday. "I will show the team tomorrow we could have been on the front foot," the Dutchman told Sky Sports. "In the first goal, we won the ball and could have created a chance but gave it away. That is unacceptable."
He added: "They have to [accept criticism]. They showed against Liverpool, Arsenal, when they perform as a team, when they bring the belief on the pitch, starting individual, we will show them and you cannot deny."
Man United looked to have turned a corner with four straight wins, including victories over Arsenal and Liverpool, following a woeful start to the campaign in which they were beaten by Brighton and Brentford.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was to blame for Manchester United's hammering at Manchester City? Comment below.
But the embarrassing defeat at the hands of City once again shows the gulf in quality between the two Manchester sides.
Ten Hag is choosing to remain optimistic despite the magnitude of Sunday's defeat, where United supporters were seen leaving the Etihad in their droves at half time what with the Red Devils four goals behind.
"I think it's good that a team like City gives you the status where you are in this moment," said Ten Hag. "It's clear we did well against top teams like Liverpool and Arsenal, when we were disciplined and we followed the rules and principles, we had the belief to play and we were on the front foot defending.
"Then you can bring a good performance and that can bring a result. When you don't, when you are not on the front foot, when you are not brave to play, you get a result as today."
He added: "The plan was to show bravery and confidence but we didn't from the first minute. For the first goal, we won the ball and could have created a great chance but instead, we gave it easily away and then it was like a pack of cards.
"I criticised them, I told them [in the dressing room]. I made mistakes as well because I didn't get the message through. With this lack of confidence, we cannot win games. I don't think this attitude is Manchester United, we can be much more brave.
"We didn't follow the rules and principles of the way we play and when you do that you get hammered. This performance was unacceptable. There are never excuses in top football, we have to bring results."
Man United travel to Cyrpus to take on Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday night.
