The Man Utd boss has been asked to admit what he did wrong in the defeat at St James' Park on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag was overtaken by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, expert says
Erik ten Hag has been criticized for his midfield choices and tactics during Manchester United's defeat to Newcastle on Sunday. United would have looked bad in the center without the presence of Casemiro, who sat out a four-match suspension following a red card against Southampton last month.
Ten Hag has selected Scott McTominay to join the January signing of Marcel Sabitzer alongside Bruno Fernandes in his familiar attacking midfield role.
During the defensive transition, each player was assigned their respective responsibilities but ultimately struggled to repel attacks from the front of Matty Longstaff, Bruno [Guimaraes] and first-scorer Joe Willock . After the game, Ten Hag criticized his side for failing to reflect the determination inspired by the Newcastle players, who are seeking revenge following defeat in the Carabao Cup final in February. .
The United boss said:
"They [Newcastle] are losing a big game against us and of course they are determined to win this one. But you have to be consistent with that and be aware of the situation from the start.
But we didn't. We didn't get into the final third too many times, we didn't go into the opponent's box and they could easily get into our box and what we did well was block shots from the chances we created but I think we have to do it much better."
Unboxing analysis for the game in Match Of The Day 2, Danny Murphy criticized Ten Hag's guidance and midfield setup. "Eddie Howe played better than Ten Hag tactically," he said.
I think Ten Hag has to bear some responsibility, it's okay to blame his players, but he has set up a squad with two attacking midfielders in midfield.
He let Sabitzer hold him, Fernandes tried to stop Willock and Longstaff, and McTominay tried to stop Bruno [Guimaraes] and they were completely overwhelmed in midfield.
"I think I've counted 11 times where they ran behind [United's] midfielders - they're not used to playing in that position, they don't see danger, they don't communicate well, the difference is huge.
After showing some footage of Longstaff and Willock breaking through United's midfield, Murphy added:
It happens over and over again. You cannot play with square pegs in round holes.
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