Luke Shaw says it is ‘unacceptable’ that Manchester United lost to Newcastle and didn’t show enough ‘passion, desire, hunger and attitude’.
On Sunday afternoon, United were deservedly beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park, courtesy of second-half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson.
The Red Devils were woeful from start to finish, with left-back Shaw himself performing poorly as his side slipped to fourth in the table, which could become fifth if Tottenham avoid defeat to Everton on Monday night.
‘I do think that Newcastle are a very good side but I don’t think they won the game on quality today,’ Shaw told Sky Sports post-match.
‘They won it on passion, desire, hunger, attitude, and they had higher motivation than us. It was a massive game today and they wanted it more.
‘I feel I say the same things every time we lose. It was not good enough. At Manchester United that can’t be possible.
‘I think it is unacceptable and we can all admit that. It is not what we want to set out to be.
‘In big games like this you need that motivation, passion, hunger and attitude because it is an extremely tough place to come to. If we don’t give that we are going to suffer and it was obvious on the pitch.
‘We didn’t create too much, to be honest, and I think maybe you can say it had been coming before the international beak. We had dropped levels and it was clear to see today that the levels were not there.
‘We have three days to pick it back up because Brentford is going to be a very tough game.’
Manager Erik ten Hag concurred with his player, adding: ‘I hate to say it, they were better today. Especially in determination, passion and desire. They wanted to win more this week. So they won.
‘We had our opportunities but then you have to go for goal with the determination they did. It wasn’t good enough. We allowed them too many chances.
‘In the past we were better. You have to be hungry, give everything, every game. Our attacking game was not good enough.’
MORE : Why Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed Manchester United’s clash at Newcastle
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
