Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has defended his defensive tactics against Manchester City, insisting many teams choose to play that way against the Premier League leaders, reports Sky Sports.

He said: "I was watching the TV and they were analysing the tactics of Huddersfield. But I have seen Burnley, West Ham, Stoke, Leicester - a lot of teams playing defensive against Manchester City.

"It's what you have to do when they have 80 per cent possession. The tactics have to be right depending on your team and depending on the other team."

There have been suggestions Benitez could set his side up in the same way when they host Manchester United, and when asked if he would be scared to do the same again, he said: "No. Why?

"I have seen a lot of teams playing with the (defensive) line on the penalty spot and the midfielders on the edge of the box, and they were doing a fantastic job.

"It depends how the pundits want to analyse the game. We are not a defensive team - we are a team that has to defend. That is different."