Erik ten Hag makes 'surprised' claim as Manchester United dressing room discussion revealed

Here are your Manchester United evening headlines on Sunday, April 2.

Erik ten Hag was surprised Manchester United's players failed to match the intensity of Newcastle in their 2-0 defeat on what he admitted was "not a good day".

Newcastle had 22 attempts to United's six in a dominant performance that lifted them above Ten Hag's team into third place in the Premier League table. United beat Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup final five weeks ago and Ten Hag felt that was a source of motivation for the hosts and Luke Shaw said Newcastle "wanted it more".

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"I totally agree and that was also my assessment," Ten Hag said. "They were more determined, more aggression and more desire, in many situations on the pitch and then you can’t win games.

"I was surprised that we couldn't match the determination and the passion of the opponent. And I think you know before when you travel to St James' Park and Newcastle what will be going on, especially after we won the cup. So if you want to win big games you have to be mature and I didn't see that today."

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Luke Shaw admitted Manchester United's players had a frank discussion among themselves in the dressing room following Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Second half goals from Joe Willock and substitute Callum Wilson secured a fully deserved victory for the home side, who leapfrogged United in the table in the process to climb to up to third, albeit on goal difference. The Magpies were dominant throughout and should have been out of sight by half-time.

United were second best all over the pitch and produced a performance so flat and uninspiring that 2-0 flattered them.