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Newcastle's time-wasting is 'annoying', claims Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag ahead of EFL Cup final
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Published 24/02/2023 at 14:21 GMT
Erik ten Hag has claimed that Newcastle often time waste and has called on his players and the referees to put a stop to it ahead of the EFL Cup final at Wembley. The sides will be facing off for silverware on Sunday, and Ten Hag told the media that Newcastle running the clock down is "annoying". The Manchester United manager also gave fitness updates on Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
Ten Hag warns over 'annoying' threat posed by Newcastle ahead of Carabao Cup final
Video credit: SNTV
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has dubbed Newcastle as an "annoying" team due to their time-wasting ahead of the sides' clash in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.
The Dutch manager told reporters that he is expecting Eddie Howe's side to continue their tactics of running down the clock at Wembley and has called on both his players and the referees to put a stop to it.
"It's a great team with a clear philosophy," said Ten Hag. "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."
When asked to expand on what he meant, he said: “Annoying. They try to annoy you. If you see from the FA, referees want to play effective time. [Newcastle] have the lowest in the league, they are quite successful with it. It's up to us to get speed in the game, but we are dependent on the refereeing as well.
"I don't know the instructions of the opponents. I can't influence that. We have to make it our job to focus on the game. If we concentrate on that and don't get distracted, we can find the moments when we can strike. Don't get distracted from whatever is on the pitch. We have to find our way.”
Nick Pope will not be available for the final due to a suspension after getting sent off in Newcastle's Premier League loss against Liverpool.
"That's for them to sort," said Ten Hag on not facing Newcastle's first choice keeper. "We know it. It's definitely not an advantage [for them]. We have to test it. That's quite obvious.”
The final will be a chance for Man United to win silverware for the first time in six years, with their last trophy being the Europa League win in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
“It’s a great opportunity to get the silverware in," said Ten Hag.
"Football is all about glory and honour. We deserve to play in the final and we have a great chance to win the cup. The fans are waiting for it [a trophy], so we’ll do everything we can.”
“[Being in four competitions] is not success but the road to success. Success is trophies.”
Ten Hag also confirmed that Anthony Martial would not be fit for the final due to his hip, and provided an injury update on Marcus Rashford, who suffered a knock after a collision with Ronald Araujo late in the second half of United's Europa League win against Barcelona.
“I don't know [if he will be fit]. The players now are coming in, we have to do investigations, medical of course, we did straight after the game, but most of the time, you have to wait for a 100 per cent diagnosis. So let's do the medical, the work; we have to wait.”
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