MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS Erik Ten Hag insists his players did not overreact to referee Craig Pawson despite a charge from the FA.
Cristiano Ronaldo nicked the ball away from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and scored, believing Fabian Schar had made it live by passing a free kick to him.
Pawson ruled the goal out and was surrounded by United players resulting in a club charge that they had “failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion”.
But Ten Hag said: “I must say I don’t think it was too strong, it wasn’t really aggressive but I don’t know what’s happening exactly on the pitch, I was too far away.
“I saw it back on the video. There was a touch from the Newcastle player, quite clear and they went to the ref to ask about.”
Ten Hag said it was only right the players questioned the decision in the 49th minute of Sunday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford.
He said: “First of all, I want to express that: we have always accepted the ref’s decisions and it is also quite normal you ask why in the moment. It was a curious incident, you ask as a team why.
“It was quite obvious the player from Newcastle touched the ball and our players took advantage of it
“My view is finally, quite quick, you have to accept, it’s the ref’s decision, you accept it and have to move on.”
Much has been of the responsibility top clubs have to set an example of how to treat officials with abuse of referees seemingly on the increase throughout football.
Ten Hag said: “We are an example for amateurs, for youth.
“Professional players, quite clearly, we have to know our role.”
United take on Spurs on Wednesday night with Anthony Martial still out injured but Christian Eriksen could be back to face his former club.
