Erik ten Hag is failing to solve a massive Manchester United problem

On paper, Manchester United's defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon was nowhere near as bad as their humblings at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Etihad Stadium and Anfield.

On the pitch, however, it was just as humiliating. Although David de Gea was only tasked with picking the ball out of the back of his net twice on this occasion, United were outclassed at St James' Park, losing 2-0 to present third place to Newcastle, albeit on goal difference, on a plate.

United, from the very first whistle, were second best on Tyneside. Newcastle, powered by the energy manufactured by their supporters in the stands, got at Erik ten Hag's side from the off. They understood the size of the occasion and the importance of scooping all three points.

READ MORE: What happened inside the United dressing room after Newcastle defeat

The Reds, unlike at Wembley five weeks earlier, seemingly didn't understand its significance. Without Casemiro marshalling the midfield, United struggled to contain Newcastle from the off and had it not been for De Gea's heroics between the sticks they would have gone into the half-time interval behind.

Despite no doubt being on the receiving end of a Ten Hag rollocking at the break, it failed to fulfil its purpose, with United shooting themselves in the foot in the build-up to Newcastle's opener. They attempted to play the ball out from the back and then provided a lesson in how not to defend in the build-up to Joe Willock nodding the ball home from close quarters. They didn't cover themselves in glory when Callum Wilson headed home the second from a trademark Kieran Trippier free-kick delivery, either.

But even though it was the manner of United's performance that quite rightly angered their