Erik ten Hag defends stars after Manchester United charged with failing to control their players
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‘I don’t think it was too strong’: Erik ten Hag DEFENDS his Man United stars after the club was accused of not checking their players after they surrounded Craig Pawson when he disallowed Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal
- Manchester United have been sued by the FA for failing to monitor players
- Players surrounded referee Craig Pawson after a goal was disallowed on Sunday
- Erik ten Hag defended his players amid a fight about the treatment of referees in a match
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Erik ten Hag defended his team on Tuesday after Manchester United were accused of failing to control their players in Sunday’s draw against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Referee Craig Pawson was surrounded by the United team after he disallowed a Cristiano Ronaldo goal early in the second half. Ronaldo led the appeals and Pawson included the incident in his report.
United have been charged by the FA for failing to ‘ensure that their players have behaved in an orderly manner’ and have until Thursday to respond.
Manchester United were charged for failing to control their players in their draw against Newcastle
Ronaldo thought Newcastle had taken a free kick when Fabian Schar passed the ball to Nick Pope, and he stole the ball from the Newcastle goalkeeper before scoring into an empty net.
Ten Hag agreed with the Portuguese star, claiming that his players were not exaggerating by relying on the referee.
“I have to say I didn’t think it was too strong,” said the United boss.
“It wasn’t really aggressive, but I don’t know what exactly is happening on the field, I was too far away. I saw it on the video.
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had opened the scoring after halftime at Old Trafford
“It was clear that the Newcastle player (Schar) touched the ball and our players took advantage of it.
“We have always accepted the referee’s decisions and it is also very normal at that point to wonder why. It was a curious incident, and as a team you wonder why. I think it’s the referee’s decision, soon you accept it and you have to move on.’
Ten Hag also said he has no problem with Ronaldo’s petulant reaction to his substitution against Newcastle in the 72nd minute. The Dutchman says he understands Ronaldo’s frustration as long as the player does not cross the line.
“No player is happy when he comes out, especially not Ronaldo, I understand that,” the Dutchman added.
“As long as it’s in a calm, normal way, no problem. Of course he’s convinced that he should stay and score a goal, that’s why he’s so good.”
But referee Craig Pawson disallowed the goal, sparking a furious reaction from United players
Christian Eriksen was able to return to his former club Tottenham at Old Trafford on Wednesday night after missing the Newcastle game due to illness, but Anthony Martial is still unavailable.
Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are expected back in training this week.
David de Gea made his 500th appearance for United this weekend, but Ten Hag would not be drawn if the Spanish goalkeeper will be offered a new contract before his current contract expires in the summer.
“We have not made a decision about him, but I can say that I am very happy with him as a keeper,” said Ten Hag. ‘First we go to the winter and then we talk about how we deal with such situations.’
Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Fred, Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are also in the final year of their contracts, although United have the option to extend most of them for another 12 months.
