Ten Hag’s reveals intent behind clash with Martial in Newcastle defeat

Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has shed light on the heated exchange with Anthony Martial during their 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Saturday, explaining the motive behind his passionate touchline confrontation.

Martial’s struggles at St James’ Park led to his substitution in the second half after 61 minutes, adding to what has been a challenging season for the French striker, who has managed only one goal and one assist in 12 Premier League appearances.

Ten Hag’s animated reaction towards Martial caught attention, with the manager later addressing the incident, emphasizing that it was not solely about the individual player but rather an attempt to invigorate and rally the entire team.

“It’s not about Antony Martial. It’s about the team. I tried to energise the team, to get a reaction from the team. In this moment, we had a tough period. When you are coaching you are a little bit more aggressive, and that is normal,” explained Ten Hag after the game.

The manager’s response suggests a strategic effort to motivate and stimulate a positive reaction from the team during a challenging phase in the match. The intensity on the touchline reflects the competitive spirit and determination to bring out the best from the players collectively.