Man Utd flops send 'subtle message' to Ten Hag as players turn against manager

04 December 2023 , 06:00

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Erik ten Hag's side lost their 10th game of the season on Saturday (Image: Getty Images)

Jermaine Jenas believes Manchester United's players were trying to 'send a message' to Erik ten Hag during their loss at Newcastle.

The Red Devils suffered a 1-0 defeat at St James' Park thanks to Anthony Gordon's second-half goal. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial faced criticism following Saturday's game, with TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist describing them as "very poor".

United dropped to seventh in the Premier League following that defeat, with Newcastle jumping up to fifth. McCoist's TNT Sports colleague Jenas was also unimpressed with the visitors but thinks the players were reacting to Ten Hag's tactics.

"I personally thought tonight there were signs that there were a couple of players in there for me that either wasn't happy with the tactics that was put to them or wasn't happy with their positions on the pitch," explained Jenas after the game.

"The body language of a team tells you a lot at times and there were a few of them that were sending a message to the manager. I thought today Marcus Rashford on that right hand side in particular, the way that he just walked around throwing his arms around was one for me that said, 'Look, I don't want to be playing on this right hand side'.

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"No tracking back, you had Martial getting ran by Fabian Schar from the centre half doing whatever he wants. There was too many of those moments that I looked at and I thought he (Ten Hag) seems to be such a disciplinarian off the pitch, but I didn't see the same level of respect from the players on the pitch today and that's a big concern."

Ten Hag plans to have showdown talks with Rashford, who has scored just two goals in 18 appearances for United this season. "I talk with him about that, not with the media," the Red Devils boss told TNT Sports when quizzed about Rashford's form.

Marcus Rashford struggled against Newcastle (PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

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Although Jenas has questioned Ten Hag's tactics, McCoist believes United's stars must take responsibility. He said: "It's got nothing to do with the manager. When you cross that white line, you're playing for yourself and the supporters that have travelled."

McCoist also thinks Ten Hag's players are letting him down. "Of course they are," said McCoist when asked. "It's not about letting the manager down, you've got to look at yourself. When you get on that pitch, you represent yourself, your family, and supporters."

And Jenas does accept the players must do more. He added: "I think his (Rashford's) body language was shocking throughout the game, too many moments throwing his arms about.

"I feel like he's sending a message to his manager almost, like 'I don't want to play out here". Things like that are criminal really, putting your team under that type of pressure by not doing your duties as a wide man (such as tracking back)."

Tom Blow