Ten Hag labels Newcastle ‘annoying’ and gives referee time-wasting warning

Erik ten Hag has labelled Manchester United’s Carabao Cup final opponents Newcastle “annoying”, warning his players and Sunday’s officials to be wary of their supposed time-wasting antics.

“I think it’s a great team with a clear philosophy about how they want to play the game,” the manager said. “The key word is intensity. They do really well. They’re an annoying team to play against, so we have to find a way to win. They try to annoy you. We have to make sure that we play our game and we focus on our game.”

It was an eye-catching comment that was followed up by a message to the referee, David Coote – the kind of mind games Sir Alex Ferguson, with whom the Dutchman had dinner this week, used to make before big games.

Asked whether his “annoying” comment was in reference to time-wasting tactics, Ten Hag said: “For instance. The referees want to play effective time. They have the lowest in the league and they are quite successful with it. So, it’s up to us that we get speed in the game but also we are then dependent on the refereeing as well.”

Opta stats show that Leeds have had the ball in play marginally less than Newcastle over the course of the Premier League season.

Tem Hag’s team head to Wembley buoyed by Thursday’s Europa League victory over Barcelona and can win the club’s first trophy since 2017.

“It’s all about that glory and honour in football and we deserve to play the final and we have a great opportunity to win the cup and we have to do everything to get that cup to Manchester,” Ten Hag said. “You feel it. The fans are really waiting for it and so we do everything we can to give the fans their honour.”

Ten Hag said he did not know whether Marcus Rashford would be available. The in-form forward was substituted