In Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Manchester United’s players have been told by Erik ten Hag not to let “annoying” Newcastle’s time-wasting antics interfere with their performance.
The apparent time-wasting by Newcastle this season has been a source of contention for both Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his Arsenal colleague Mikel Arteta.
Ten Hag has since warned his team to be alert for any attempts by Newcastle to stall the game and has urged referee David Coote to discipline any players engaging in such behavior.
Ten Hag, who had dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday night, said: “It’s a terrific team, a clear idea about how they want to play the game. It felt like a move from out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s “mind games” play-book. Intensity is an important word. They perform admirably. We need to find a means to triumph over them since they are a difficult team to play against. They aim to make you angry. We must make sure we play and concentrate on our game.
When asked if he was alluding to the criticisms Newcastle has faced this season for time-wasting, Ten Hag replied, “Yes. For instance, if the FA and referees want to play the effective time, Newcastle has the lowest rate in the league and is extremely successful with it. Hence, it is up to us to increase the game’s pace, but we must also rely on the refereeing.
Newcastle has the second-worst record in the Premier League for the ball is in play this season, only behind Leeds, and has received the joint third-most cautions for time-wasting, behind Aston Villa and Fulham.
The ball was only in play for 49.29 minutes in Newcastle’s 0-0 draw with United at Old Trafford in October, while the game was played for a total of 98.17 minutes, including stoppages. Three of Newcastle’s league games this season have been in the top 10 for lowest “in play” action.
Due to a cup tie between Martin Dubravka, who spent part of this season on loan at Old Trafford, and Karl Darlow, who is currently on loan at Hull City, manager Eddie Howe must choose between starting former Liverpool No. 1 Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie in goal. Nick Pope, Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper, will miss the final due to a suspension.
When asked if Pope’s absence might have something to do with Newcastle’s apparent inefficiency, Ten Hag responded, “I’m not in the instructions of the opponents, so I don’t know and I also can’t influence it.
I can only have a small impact on us; while the ball is in play, we need to concentrate on playing football and make that our game.
“In order to avoid being diverted from what might be, we must focus entirely on that. Whatever is on the pitch, our attention must be on the task at hand. We must navigate ourselves and identify our opportunities.
In the 2018 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, Karius is infamously blamed for two goals, and ever since, his career has taken a severe downturn.
Ten Hag also acknowledged that United must target the goalie that Newcastle chooses to use. It’s a problem for them to solve, and we are aware of this, he continued. “It most certainly isn’t a benefit. We have no control over it; they have control; the person holding the instrument (or playing it) has control; however, it is evident that we must verify it.
Ten Hag is optimistic that United can finally break their six-year trophy drought. It’s a terrific chance to bring home the hardware; after all, in football, it’s all about honor and glory.
“Everything must be done to deliver that trophy to Manchester. You can tell that the fans are eagerly anticipating it, therefore we make every effort to uphold their honor.
After being replaced with a knock late in Thursday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona in the Europa League, Marcus Rashford was having his condition evaluated on Friday. Nevertheless, fellow striker Anthony Martial is unable to participate due to injury.
If Rashford would be available on Sunday, Ten Hag replied, “I don’t know.” Players are now entering. Medical research is obviously necessary as well. A definitive diagnosis must come later.