Ten Hag Labels Newcastle 'Annoying' Ahead Of EFL Cup Final

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag took a dig at Newcastle ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final, labelling them "annoying" for their time-wasting.

Ten Hag's criticism of the Magpies stems from his side's 0-0 draw against Newcastle at Old Trafford in October which left United frustrated given suspended goalkeeper Nick Pope's perceived time-wasting approach.

He claimed Newcastle’s ball-in-play time is the lowest in the Premier League and warned his side not to get distracted by the tactic. 

“It's a great team, they have a clear philosophy about how they want to play the game," the gaffer said to a news conference.

"The key word is intensity, they do really well, but 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 play our game and focus on our game.”

Asked to clarify his comments, the Dutchman added: "For instance, if you see from the FA, the referees want to play at an 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 and we are also then dependent on the refereeing as well.

"I'm not in the instructions of the opponents, so I don't know (if Newcastle will miss Pope's time-wasting); also, I can't influence that.

"We have to make it our game, so focus on the job and playing football when the ball is in the game, it's about that, so fully concentrate on that. 

"Don't get distracted from what can be, whatever is on the pitch. 

"We have to focus on the job, we have to find our way and find out the moments we can strike."

The United boss concluded by calling on EFL Cup final referee David Coote to keep an eye on Newcastle's time-wasting at Wembley.