Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended his players after the club was hit with an FA charge of “failing to control their players."
The Red Devils were all incensed at one point during their game against Newcastle United, when Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had put the ball in the back of the net to score.
However, the referee stated that he had not yet blown his whistle for Newcastle to take a free kick, which meant the ball was not live for Ronaldo to nip in and score.
“My response to the charge?" said Ten Hag to reporters during a press conference.
“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 clearly, and they went to the ref to ask about it."
He added on his players not showing respect to the referee: “First of all, I want to express that we have always accepted the refs decisions.
“But it's also quite normal you ask why in the moment. It was a curious incident, so you ask as a team 'why?'
“My view is finally, quite quickly, you have to accept it, because it's the referee's decision, you accept it and have to move on.
“We're an example for amateurs, for youth, for pro players, quite clearly, so we have to know our role and it's also about pro football and a decision like this.
“It was quite obvious the player touched the ball from Newcastle and our players took advantage of it. When you explain, it has to be quite soon."