Eddie Howe has reiterated that the coverage surrounding Newcastle United's game management tactics has been 'overblown' - only for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to highlight those 'delays' once again.
Newcastle welcome Manchester United to St James' Park on Sunday as the two teams face off for the first time since the Carabao Cup final five weeks previously. Ten Hag called Newcastle an 'annoying' side who 'try to annoy you' before Manchester United's 2-0 win under the arch and referenced how no other top-flight outfit had a lower average ball in play time than Newcastle.
Ten Hag even went as far as to say Manchester United would be 'dependent' on referee David Coote to ensure there was speed in the game. These were the sorts of remarks you once associated with Sir Alex Ferguson who, coincidentally, had dinner with ten Hag just a few days before the Wembley showpiece, and the Dutchman has since doubled down on his comments ahead of Sunday's rematch.
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