Ten Hag reacts as FA sanctions Man Utd over Ronaldo, others

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has reacted to the Football Association (FA) charge on the club, for failing to control their players during the goalless draw against Newcastle United at the weekend.

United players surrounded referee Craig Pawson after he disallowed a goal by Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese claiming Newcastle had taken a free kick before he raced to take the ball away from goalkeeper Nick Pope and slotted it into an empty net.

Ten Hag told a press conference on Tuesday: “I don’t think it was too strong but I don’t know what’s happening exactly on the pitch as it’s too far away for me on the pitch.

“I’ve seen the video, there was a touch from the player from Newcastle that’s quite clear and they wanted to point that to the referee.

“First of all, I want to express we always accept the referees’ decision but it’s also quite normal to ask why in the moment, it was a curious incident, you ask as a team why. But finally and quite clear you have to accept it. Then you have to move on.

“You are right we are example for amateurs and youth, quite clear. We have to know our role but it’s also about professional football so when it’s a decision like this, and it was quite obvious a player touched the ball from Newcastle, our players took advantage of it to ask why.”