Diogo Dalot admits that Newcastle United “wanted it more” in a worrying claim

Manchester United fullback Diogo Dalot admits that Newcastle United “wanted it more” in a worrying claim following the 2-0 defeat.

Newcastle were the better team on the day and deserved the victory by a country mile. The Red Devils just did not turn up.

The importance of defeat is that Erik ten Hag’s men are now fourth in the table and in danger of getting leapfrogged if Tottenham Hotspur beat Everton on Monday night.

Here’s what Dalot said about the performance and the opposition (h/t Manchester Evening News):

“Disappointment I think is the word, we wanted to come here and do what we planned. We tried to find spaces and we knew they wanted to press high, even after that, we tried to play, but we could have been more patient.

“I think they wanted that a little bit more than us today and that can not happen. If we want to fight for more, want to compete for the Premier League, we have to be more consistent, come here and dominate the game.”

The problem is that attitude wasn’t the only issue of the game. Quite a lot of players lacked quality and composure when put under pressure by a hungry Newcastle side.

It is now two defeats and a draw in three league games on either side of the international break. The team hasn’t scored a goal in those games as well.

All of a sudden, finishing in the top four doesn’t look as straightforward as it was a few weeks ago. It is because United play every three or four days due to their participation in the other two cup competitions.

If the league form does not improve and they go deep in the Europa League, it might be best to focus on winning that itself because lifting that trophy automatically guarantees Champions League football next season.

The away form against teams in the top half of the team is a real problem for ten Hag now. United have already lost at Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Brentford, Aston Villa and now Newcastle this season.

More Manchester United News:

• Erik ten Hag says Anthony Martial could be back for Newcastle fixture
• Manchester United have ‘concerns’ over England international Harry Maguire
• Eddie Howe ‘pushing’ to sign Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay

So, while Old Trafford is slowly becoming a fortress, the hard bit of winning away from home needs to be done too.