Romano reveals what Ten Hag said to Man Utd stars after Newcastle loss

Robin Bairner

2 Nov 2023 01:28 CDT
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Antony, Man Utd — © ProShots

Fabrizio Romano has revealed what Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said to his players after his side were defeated 3-0 by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup.

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Both clubs rotated their starting XIs for the Old Trafford match, but the ease with which Newcastle won was alarming, with Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall and Joe Willock all scoring.

It was the second successive 3-0 home defeat for Man Utd after they went down by the same scoreline against Manchester City at the weekend, leaving Ten Hag’s position increasingly vulnerable as the team teeters on the brink of crisis.

Romano, meanwhile, says that the former Ajax head coach sent a positive message to his players and does not find his job under any threat yet.

“For Ten Hag, the feeling remains the same, which is to protect and support the manager, but of course they can’t continue like that. This is not the not the Manchester United and this is not the Manchester United level, so they can’t continue like that,” Romano said via YouTube.

“Ten Hag sent a very clear message to the players. He wants to be positive but strong in his message. We have to be together; we have to stick together. He wants the players to fight for the club, to fight for their job and to fight for his job too. He wants Manchester United to be all together and to restart their journey against Fulham.”

Casemiro blow

Romano also announced ahead of the Fulham match that Brazil international midfielder Casemiro will miss a fixture that is vital for Ten Hag’s future.

“Man Utd won’t have Casemiro who is injured – so one more injury – and this is another issue that the club is discussing internally,” he said.

“This is why people close to the coaching staff believe that having positive news in terms of the takeover, when co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is expected to take a 25% minority stake but with sporting control, is such a crucial step to make things work for the future of Manchester United.”

Ratcliffe’s takeover is not expected to be completed in time to impact the January transfer window at Old Trafford in a further blow to Ten Hag’s hopes of steadying the ship in the weeks ahead.