Luke Shaw admitted Manchester United's players had a frank discussion among themselves in the dressing room following Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Second half goals from Joe Willock and substitute Callum Wilson secured a fully deserved victory for the home side, who leapfrogged United in the table in the process to climb to up to third, albeit on goal difference. The Magpies were dominant throughout and should have been out of sight by half-time.
United were second best all over the pitch and produced a performance so flat and uninspiring that 2-0 flattered them. They have now lost six of seven matches away from home this season against sides currently camped inside the top half of the table.
READ MORE: Luke Shaw delivers brutally honest verdict on Newcastle defeat
United would have consolidated their place in the top-four with a victory on Tyneside, but, not for the first time this season, froze when the pressure was on away from home. It meant that a conversation had to be had among the players after the full-time whistle.
Shaw, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "I'm not going to go too much into that [conversation] but the players have had a chat in the changing room after with no staff around. Obviously it is down to us, as players on that pitch, and it was nowhere near good enough.
"We had to speak out in front of each other and own up to it."
United's fortunes have been rekindled by manager Erik ten Hag, highlighted by their Carabao Cup success in February and ongoing involvement in both the FA Cup and the Europa League. However, Shaw believes United's players still need to find a better way of supporting each other on the pitch.
"We are a team and when we go out on that pitch we all need to fight for each other and we need to be there for each other," Shaw added. "Sometimes, this season, it has not shown like that.
"As I have said, we had a good chat in the changing room after. I am sure we will go through it all again and speak again because I think it is important we need to realise the problems, realise them quick and change them around because we can still have a very good season.
"But with results and performances like this we can't."
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