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Erik ten Hag tells his Man United players to ignore Newcastle’s ‘ANNOYING’ time-wasting habit in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final as the Reds push to win the first trophy of their tenure at Wembley
- Manchester United take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday
- Erik ten Hag has described Eddie Howe’s side as ‘annoying’ in his habits
- He noted that Newcastle are effective at slowing down play to frustrate opposition.
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must ignore Newcastle’s “annoying” habit of wasting time and focus on winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
Arsenal and Liverpool are among the Premier League teams frustrated by Newcastle’s tactics this season, and Ten Hag expects them to do the same on Sunday.
Only Leeds have had the ball in play for less time than Newcastle this season. When Eddie Howe’s side drew United to a goalless draw at Old Trafford in mid-October, the ball was only live for 53.4 per cent of the game’s total time.
Twenty games have seen a lower percentage than the Premier League this season, but Ten Hag hopes Cup final referee David Coote is aware of any wasted time.
“It’s a great team with a clear philosophy,” said the United manager. It’s an annoying team to play against, so we have to find a way. They try to annoy you, so we have to focus on our game.
Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United players to ignore the “annoying” time-wasting habits displayed by Newcastle’s Eddie Howe (left) in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
United players argue with referee Craig Pawson during the goalless draw between the two Premier League clubs in October.
Asked to expand on his comments, Ten Hag added: ‘Yes. For example, if you see that the referee wants to play an effective time. They have the lowest in the league and are quite successful with it.
“So it’s up to us to get speed in the game and we’re also up to the officiating.”
‘I don’t know the opponents’ instructions. We have to make it our job to focus on the game. If we focus on that and don’t get distracted, we can find the moments where we can attack.
Newcastle’s most pressing problem is in goal with Nick Pope’s suspension, leaving Howe with a choice between Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie.
Whichever Newcastle manager chooses, Ten Hag has warned United will put him to the test. “It’s a problem for them that they have to solve,” he said.
‘Of course they know and it’s definitely not an advantage. We do not influence, but they can influence. Of course we have to try it.
United were left frustrated when they drew with Newcastle in October, only having the ball live for 53.4 per cent of playing time.
Ten Hag’s side enter Sunday’s final buoyed by their thrilling Europa League win over Barcelona