Erik ten Hag says he will speak to Marcus Rashford in private about his poor form after torrid display in defeat at Newcastle but backs him to 'recover'... as he admits Magpies were 'better and more proactive than us'

Erik ten hag will speak to Marcus Rashford about his form after the Manchester United star’s latest flop in the defeat at Newcastle on Saturday night.

Rashford was recalled to the line-up after missing the Champions League draw with Galatasaray in midweek through suspension, but made little impact before he was substituted just after the hour mark at St James’ Park.

Last season’s 30-goal top scorer has found the net just twice this term, and his lack of effort and negative body language were a concern once again.

‘I will talk to him and not the media,’ Ten Hag said tersely when asked about Rashford.

‘I don't go into individual performances. I knew this issue was coming up and Marcus is investing a lot. He will return to his form, he will recover and he gets all our support.’

United were thoroughly outplayed by a superb Newcastle at the end of a week in which they faced Everton and Galatasaray away, and Ten Hag insists his players will bounce back.

‘This week, it was not in our advantage but we will take it as it is,’ he added. ‘Today we have to give the credit to Newcastle. They were better than us, they were more proactive.

‘I will talk with my team about the reasons but we have to do better. If you lose, you are always unhappy but I’m sure this team is resilient, we have to pick this up.’

Ten Hag was involved in a spat with Anthony Martial at half-time. ‘It's not about Anthony Martial, it’s about the team,’ he explained.

‘I try to energise the team and try to get a reaction from the team in this moment. We had a tough period and when you're coaching you are a little more aggressive, so that's normal.’

Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal gave Newcastle a richly deserved win from a one-sided game as Eddie Howe’s side moved above United in the Premier League table.

Howe believes Gordon has a chance of an England call-up, saying: ‘He is playing a very high level and he has been this season. He is getting the goals and you need the headlines if you are to force your way into the England squad with the competition.’

However, Nick Pope added to Newcastle’s injury problems when he went off in the second half with a dislocated shoulder.

‘We’ll seek a specialist opinion but it doesn’t look good,’ added Howe.