What Manchester United fans demanded a month ago is even more relevant now

It was one month ago today that Manchester United narrowly beat Fulham in the Premier League, a game best remembered for what happened off the pitch as much as on it.

Bruno Fernandes struck at the death to clinch a second successive last-gasp winner at Craven Cottage, one that helped mask an otherwise rather limp performance.

As the United players warmed up on the pitch ahead of the match, a fan in the away end unfurled a homemade banner that was clearly visible to all those of a United persuasion. The words 'Play like you mean it!!' painted in black on a white bedsheet. A simple message, but one that is easier said than done.

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A month later, that fan message is as relevant as it has ever been after the pitiful nature of United's defeat to Newcastle over the weekend.

Erik ten Hag might point to the injury crisis, fixture schedule and pre-match preparations as contributing factors to the defeat, but none of those are a valid excuse for what came across as a lack of effort at St. James' Park.

The United manager argued with Anthony Martial for a lack of pressing in the final third and Marcus Rashford, who hadn't even played in midweek due to suspension, struggled for an hour before he was replaced.

No supporter is ever happy to see their team lose, especially not against a top-four rival, but a defeat can at least be more palatable if there are positives to take and you leave the stadium knowing that your side at the very least gave it their best shot. If you are going to lose, at least go down fighting.

Instead, United fans left the ground in sheer disbelief at such a lacklustre and