Newcastle United 2-0 Manchester United: Red Devils must qualify for Champions League, says Luke Shaw – BBC

Manchester United’s performance in the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United was “unacceptable” and “not nearly good enough”, defender Luke Shaw said.

The Red Devils have not won – or scored – in the past three league matches.

“They wanted it rather. At Manchester United that should not be possible,” Shaw told Sky Sports.

“I don’t think Newcastle won on quality, they won on desire, passion, hunger and attitude.

“We have to realize the problems quickly and turn it around. We can still have a very good season, but with results and performances like this we can’t.”

‘We have to reach the Champions League’

Despite Sunday’s defeat, United are well placed to successfully conclude their first season under Ten Hag.

have overcome Newcastle win the Carabao Cup at Wembley in February they are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

However, Shaw said major improvements are needed after the players spoke out in the dressing room after the final whistle.

“The players had a chat in the dressing room after a round without staff,” added Shaw.

“We have to find out what the problems are and put them behind us.

“It’s our fault. It wasn’t nearly good enough. We had to speak out against each other.”

After missing out on the chance to take a six-point lead in fifth place, United will be back in action on Wednesday when they host Brentford – the first of three successive home games.

“We have to get into the Champions League,” said Shaw. “We are the biggest club in the world, we have to play in the Champions League. We have to refocus and get back to winning ways.”

‘We were killed’

This was Manchester United’s 27th Premier League game of the season. They have played a further 20 matches in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.

But Ten Hag denied that the cup runs had influenced the competition form.

“You have to see that every game is important, every competition is important,” he told Match of the Day.

“We know how difficult it is to come to Newcastle and I know they want revenge. You have to show the same passion, desire and determination as the opponent.”

“We didn’t and we were killed.”

Ten Hag said he was “sure” there would be a reaction from his players because “that’s what we’ve been showing all season”.

‘Man Utd is missing against big teams’

Manchester United have lost to six of the top nine away teams in the Premier League this season. They have yet to play at fifth-placed Tottenham and sixth-placed Brighton.

“They didn’t show up against the big teams,” former Red Devils defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports.

“Ten Hag has to decide which players he can bring forward and which not.”

Speaking of the performance against Newcastle, Neville added: “Manchester United have been well beaten. They are not kidding anyone about the bigger picture. There are worrying signs.

“They just don’t show up in games like this. They deserved to be beaten. Newcastle’s performance was much better. Newcastle wanted it more.”

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