Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told to stop ‘blaming players’ for tactical error in Newcastle loss

Erik ten Hag has come under fire for his midfield selection and tactics in Manchester United's defeat to Newcastle on Sunday. United looked disjointed centrally without the presence of Casemiro, who was sitting out the second of his four-game suspension following his red card against Southampton last month.

Ten Hag selected Scott McTominay to come in alongside January recruit Marcel Sabitzer with Bruno Fernandes in his usual attacking midfield role.

In defensive transitions, each player was tasked with respective responsibilities but ultimately struggled to fend off the forward runs of Matty Longstaff, Bruno [Guimaraes] and opening goalscorer Joe Willock.

READ MORE: What Erik ten Hag told United dressing room after Newcastle defeat

After the game, Ten Hag criticised his team for not being able to mirror the determination inspirited within Newcastle players, who were out for revenge following February’s Carabao Cup final defeat.

The United boss said: “They [Newcastle] lose a big game against us and, of course, they are determined to win this game. But you have to match that and be aware of the situation from the start.

“But we didn’t. We didn't enter the final third too many times, we didn't enter the box of the opponent and they could easily come into our box and what we did well was blocking shots from the chances we create but I think we have to do it much better."

Unpacking analysis for the game on Match Of The Day 2, Danny Murphy was critical of Ten Hag’s midfield set-up and instructions. “Eddie Howe got the better of Ten Hag tactically,” he said.

“I think Ten Hag has to take some responsibility, it’s alright blaming his players but he set up the team with two attacking midfielders as holding midfielders.

"He