Eddie Howe has hit out at Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United boss spouted 'nonsense' about Newcastle United's 'time-wasting' before the Magpies' 2-0 win.
After previously calling Newcastle a side who 'try to annoy you', in reference to the black-and-whites being the top-flight team with the lowest average ball in play time in the Premier League, ten Hag doubled down on his comments before Manchester United's defeat at St James' Park on Sunday. Ten Hag said that Newcastle's game management tactics were a 'concern', adding 'we know they delay', and the Dutchman called on referee Stuart Attwell to be 'consistent to let the game go' rather than blowing up.
Newcastle certainly did not slow the game down on Sunday - far from it - and the Magpies ended up having 22 shots, six times as many shots on target and nearly twice as many corners during a thoroughly dominant display. Indeed, far from wasting time after Joe Willock's opener midway through the second half, Howe went for a killer second goal and made four positive changes. One of these substitutes, Callum Wilson, popped up with the killer second goal.
READ MORE: Newcastle send statement to Manchester United and Eddie Howe stands up to Erik ten Hag- 5 things
It felt like a perfect riposte to ten Hag's comments on an evening Howe had a heated exchange with his opposite number on the touchline.
"I'm pleased you brought that up, actually, because I want to make one thing very clear: we want the ball in play," he told reporters. "We play a quick game.
"I don't get where this time-wasting nonsense has come from because it's not us. You saw today we wanted the ball back in play as quickly as possible: high energy, high tempo, ball in play."
He added: "If something is not accurate then, naturally, you want to put the right point across. We want the ball in play - that's the type of team we are."
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe stands up for Newcastle as Manchester United try to get into referee Attwell's head
Eddie Howe bites back after Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's 'annoying' Newcastle dig
Newcastle thought they might have found the 'next Shay Given' before trial revealed the truth
Newcastle hires can prevent £12m nightmare after 'unbelievable talent' didn't have 'enough time'
