Manchester United's players are failing to meet Erik ten Hag's demand this season

Manchester United suffered their sixth Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday evening, losing 1-0 to Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Though the scoreline suggested it was a close-run battle, Anthony Gordon's second half winner was nothing more than what Eddie Howe's side deserved. They dominated the game from the first whistle and were the only side that ever looked like winning.

Just as they did when United last visited St James' back in April, Newcastle gave them a schooling, even if the scoreline was nothing out of the ordinary. The Magpies had 22 shots on goal in comparison to United's eight.

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Defeat in the northeast marked United's third Premier League away defeat of the season, following reverses earlier in the campaign against both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. Just like last season, Erik ten Hag's side are struggling to get results against the division's fellow giants on the road.

Facing Spurs, Arsenal and Newcastle on their travels so far, United have lost all three games, scored just one goal and conceded six. Their defeat on Saturday night, quite frankly, came as no great surprise.

United's away record under Ten Hag against the Premier League's leading lights is nothing short of disastrous. Failing to beat any of the eight teams that finished alongside them inside the top nine last season, United amassed just one point from a possible 24 on the road, losing to Manchester City (6-3), Arsenal (3-2), Newcastle (2-0), Liverpool (7-0), Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0), Aston Villa (3-1) and Brentford (4-0). The only point they secured was against