Erik ten Hag surprised by Manchester United performance in defeat at Newcastle

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.

"No, I don't think [the players] underestimate Newcastle. O think they play above their levels, they were so eager but you could expect that. They lose a big game against us and, of course, they are determined to win this game.

"But you have to match that and be aware of the situation from the start. But we didn’t. We didn't enter the final third too many times, we didn't enter the box of the opponent and they could easily come into our box and what we did well was blocking shots from the chances we create but I think we have to do it much better."

United have failed to score in their last three league games, having been thumped 7-0 at Liverpool four weeks ago and held to a goalless draw at home to Southampton