Senne Lammens conceded that Manchester United had a ‘collective off-day’ in the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
The Reds suffered Premier League defeat for the first time in 2026, with Will Osula’s 90th-minute strike bringing to an end our 11-match unbeaten run.
Lammens echoed Michael Carrick’s comments, in labelling it a disenchanting night on Tyneside.
“Yeah, it's a really big disappointment, I think,”
Senne said. “We knew it was going to be difficult today, especially away here and the manager warned us.
“I think, in the first half, we weren’t at our best but then, heading into half-time, with a pretty good feeling after scoring that goal in the last minute. Against 10 men, we had a pretty good feeling.
“But he warned us it was not going to be easy, we had to attack them and try to break them quickly or the longer we had to wait for that, and the longer it stays 1-1, one opportunity and it can be changed.
“Today, that's what happened and it's nowhere near good enough, today, in every aspect. We have to learn from that.”
Jacob Ramsey’s first-half dismissal seemed to galvanise the already boisterous St James’ Park faithful, as did the manner of Casemiro’s equaliser.
The Brazilian scored in the ninth minute of added time after Peter Bankes had kept the watch running following Anthony Gordon’s penalty.
The visitors found it difficult to get going again in the second half, with Lammens adding that’s not something you can get away with in this division.
“The physicality, the effort: It felt like we didn't bring enough, not the same as they did and that's always going to a tough one, especially with their fans behind them.
“You can have off-days, of course, but it's a collective off-day and it's not really possible in this league, not against these teams.”
United now have an 11-day break before our next top-flight assignment, which will be a hugely important one in the race for UEFA Champions League football.
Fourth-placed Aston Villa, who lost 4-1 at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, visit Old Trafford and Senne says the focus needs to be laser sharp.
“Today, it's going to be a really disappointing feeling really but, like you said, we've got a couple of days and I think weeks, where we need to get together and think about how to react.
“Starting from tomorrow, it's going to be like this: training, keeping the intensity together, so we can deliver in the games and react in the next game.”