Staff Reporter.
(Reuters) – Manchester United were again guilty of poor finishing in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League but manager Erik ten Hag was pleased his players matched the physicality of their opponents.
Ten Hag had been critical of his side’s finishing against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday, when Scott McTominay’s stoppage-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over the Cypriots.
Marcus Rashford and Fred passed up late chances on Sunday for the hosts, who are fifth in the league, three points behind Chelsea in fourth.
“We are disappointed we didn’t win as the performance was good,” said Ten Hag. “A clean sheet, we pressed well from the front to the back and we controlled it.
“We were a little bit erratic in the first half. You see a physical team as Newcastle, we matched them, at least. In the end, we could have won and we deserved to win.
“It’s a big compliment to the team that we could deserve this with a physical performance against maybe the best physical team in the league.
“In the end, we broke them but didn’t kill them by not scoring,” the Dutchman added. “So I’m pleased with the performance but disappointed by the result.”
Meanwhile Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard said he will not hide from the intense criticism he is facing from sections of the club’s support after Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea prompted jeers from the stands.
Mason Mount’s double gave the visitors a win that heaped more pressure on Gerrard, whose side are 16th in the Premier League and one point above the relegation zone.
“I think I’d be stupid not to concern myself or be aware of where we are and I accept that,” said Gerrard.
“Every time I’ve spoken to the media, I’ve fronted up and I won’t hide from the responsibility, the criticism or the noises that are coming from the stands today.
“But what I will say is, if these players can replicate that first hour moving forward, I don’t think this team will have an issue and they certainly won’t be in the area they are now in the league.”
Former Liverpool skipper Gerrard was also booed off the pitch by Villa supporters following a 1-1 draw at bottom side Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
Gerrard said he understood the frustration of the fans after Villa created several good chances against Chelsea before the break only to be frustrated by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“I’m aware of it all, but it is what it is,” Gerrard said.
“I have to accept it and try and do everything I can to change the way they’re feeling at the moment.
Elsewhere Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was delighted with forward Mohamed Salah’s display in a more central role after the Egyptian’s goal sealed a 1-0 Premier League victory over champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Salah raced away from Joao Cancelo to score and give his side a much-needed win after they came into the encounter having suffered their worst start to a Premier League season after eight games since 2012-13.
“Absolutely outstanding,” Klopp told reporters. “Obviously he was one of two strikers in the centre together with Roberto Firmino. The goal was world-class.”
Klopp said Salah, who typically plays in a wider role, was unlucky not to have scored earlier.
“The situation immediately before was really unlucky that he didn’t score there already. Apart from that, good on the ball, a constant threat in behind, working extremely hard, an outstanding performance,” he added.
Salah, who was also deployed more centrally when he scored the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history as Liverpool beat Rangers 7-1 last Wednesday, said he hoped the two wins would kick-start their season.
“Hopefully it gives us more confidence so we start winning games. The last few weeks, as you saw, we were not on our best,” Salah said.
“We started already from the last game and this game as well we won so we need to carry on.”