Jermaine Jenas slammed Marcus Rashford’s ‘shocking’ first-half performance against Newcastle – suggesting he was sending Erik ten Hag a message about being played out of position.

Rashford was largely ineffective on the right-wing in a first-half that Newcastle dominated. Eddie Howe’s side created multiple chances and were unfortunate not to have gone into the break ahead, with Alexander Isak, Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles all close to breaking the deadlock.

They were able to keep piling the pressure on United by winning possession back from long balls, with Rashford and Anthony Martial often beaten to the ball and showing little effort to win it back. Ten Hag was often out on the touchline lamenting his players and Jenas echoed the Dutchman’s sentiment during the break.

“I think it was poor, I think his body language was shocking throughout the game, I really do,” Jeans told TNT Sports. “There have been too many moments like this and throwing his arms about.

“I think he is sending a message to his manager almost like ‘I don’t want to play out here’. He is looking at [Alejandro] Garnacho on the left, and it’s criminal putting your team under that type of pressure by not doing your duties as a wide man and tracking back.

“It’s clear as well, [Tino] Livramento knows that he does not want to go with him. He’s never there and it’s time and time again. He has no interest in tracking him back and [Harry] Maguire and [Luke] Shaw are constantly coming to the rescue due to the ineptitude of the wide players and it’s not just them by the way.

“Fabian Schar is running past [Anthony] Martial. [Kieran] Trippier is running past Garnacho – all over the park they are second best and Newcastle were just not able to capitalise.”