Jermaine Jenas blasts two Man United players for ‘criminal’ performances vs Newcastle

Jermaine Jenas was hugely unimpressed by two Manchester United players as they were embarrassed against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Erik ten Hag’s side didn’t pull off, let alone get out of first gear, in yet another away fixture against a top Premier League side.

Only a small number of United players can hold their heads high after the 1-0 defeat. On the other hand, several were labelled ‘criminal’ for the performances they displayed against The Magpies.

Jermaine Jenas was on punditry duty for TNT Sports on the evening and believed that United’s wingers, particularly Marcus Rashford, were putting their defence under pressure by failing to track back.

Newcastle left-back Tino Livramento was incredibly effective all game, partly due to Rashford’s terrible performance.

“I think it was poor,” said Jenas of Rashford’s first half display. “I think his body language was shocking throughout the game.

“He really threw too many moments, throwing his arms about. I feel like he’s sending a message to his manager, almost like, ‘I don’t want to play out here’. You know, he’s looking at Garnacho on the left.

“I mean, things like that. It’s criminal, it really is. Putting your team under that type of pressure by not doing your duties as a wide man, to be tracking back. It’s clear, Livermento knows as well, he doesn’t want to come with me.

“He’s got no interest in tracking him back. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw continually coming to the rescue for the ineptitude of the wide players, and it’s not just them, by the way.

“Fabian Schär is running past Martial. Trippier is running past Garnacho. All over the park, they are second best Manchester United.”

United ended up conceding early into the second half shortly before Rashford was taken off by Ten Hag, alongside Anthony Martial, for Antony and Rasmus Højlund.

Despite the changes, Untied failed to get themselves back into the game, with a goal being ruled out in the final minutes as Antony’s effort was deflected in by Harry Maguire, who was standing in an offside position.