Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
The point kept United fifth in the table on 16 points from nine matches, with Newcastle a point further back in sixth.
The National spoke to United defender Luke Shaw following the Old Trafford stalemate.
What’s the feeling in the dressing room after that?
One that got away, I think. It’s quite quiet in the changing room. We’re disappointed at where we want to be and what we want to achieve. In games like this at home to Newcastle we have to win. We know that and it was the start of a big week with three games starting with this one. It wasn’t the result we wanted and we know that, but we have to put it behind us and we have a big game on Wednesday [against Tottenham]. We have to win that.
What about you? Are you happy with the way you're playing?
Yes, but I think the most important thing is the team. Whenever I get a chance, whenever I play I just do my best. The good thing with this manager [Erik ten Hag] is that if you’re not playing well then you won’t play. In the past that’s not been the case but I think the good thing about this manager is that he’s keeping everyone on their toes. He makes sure that everyone is 100 per cent every day. If you’re not at it then you won’t play. That’s a positive thing. We all know that. And for me I’ve just got to keep working harder.
You spent a period out of the side. What did the manager say to you?
To be honest I didn’t really need him to say anything to me. I knew the first two games were nowhere near good enough. I completely understood that it was my time to come out of the team. The results were bad, my performances were not good enough. I just had to keep training hard every day so the manager could see how hard I was working. I was just waiting for my opportunity and had to bide my time because the team were doing well and we were winning. You can’t moan, I just had to be there every day with the team, being involved and helping the team, whether that is starting or being on the bench.
Is there any aspect the manager asked you to work on or focus on?
Not really, but I think I’m at that age that it’s about time I start being more consistent. Over the years I’ve had a lot of ups and down. For me that’s not good enough and not what I want to be achieving. For me it’s all about consistency and I just need to keep training hard, keep the focus and give everything I can for the team.
What’s it like playing alongside Lisandro Martinez?
Unbelievable, to be honest. You can see everyone loves him. The fans love him. His left foot is unbelievable. I think it always helps when you play with a left-footer on the side because he naturally likes to come out to that side, and I think he has fitted in really well. Of course, he can keep getting better and better, but for me so far, he has been unbelievable this season. He needs to keep that up. His aggression, his passion, we need him in that backline. He brings that every game. I am really pleased to have him in the team.
How do you stay consistent?
I don't know about it being down to mentality. I have been unlucky with a lot of injuries. I had been feeling good and then picked up a knock, and it took me down a bit. I think it was the same over the pre-season. I didn't have a full pre-season, so I wasn’t really able to do much. I hurt my knee and I think I struggled in pre-season to get the minutes I wanted. I had a few games, but not all of them. But that is no excuse. I took full responsibility for the two bad performances at the start. That is when I realised it was important to just get back into the team.
Are you encouraged by the direction United are going under Ten Hag?
Of course. Very good signs, clear signs, of what this manager wants. He wants intensity, he wants aggression, he wants us to play high, press high and, of course, when we have the ball to play football. A lot of movements, a lot of playing in between the lines, and I think, of course, we are in a transition. It takes a bit of time, but there are very positive signs at the moment and we, as players, can see that in day-to-day training with him. The meetings we have are very positive; it is the start of something new, so things like this take time.
Man United v Newcastle ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6: Presented with an award by Sir Alex Ferguson for 500 United games before match. Couple of poor balls out but his crossbar and post saved him from Joelinton. Poor ball out to Fred just after break led to Newcastle attack. Not one of his better displays. PA -
Diogo Dalot 6: Accurate cross to Bruno just before break, but not as effective as his opposite Trippier. Dalot has played every game and the lack of competition for his place shows. EPA -
Raphael Varane 7: First time he, Casemiro and Ronaldo started a game together since the 2018 Champions League final for Real Madrid. Headed away several Newcastle attacks and stopped a late break. Best defender in red. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez 6: Cut out a dangerous third minute Newcastle attack, then won a ball in the opposition half to set up an attack soon after. Lost momentum in a 92nd minute attack by playing ball back to De Gea. Reuters -
Luke Shaw 7: Needed his aggression in feisty match. He’s playing well, but he was as downbeat as the rest after two dropped points at home. PA -
Fred 6: Got in dangerous forward areas early on but Newcastle’s box was congested. Didn’t play well in the first half and Eriksen’s absence and creativity was felt. Won ball to set Antony free on 73, then had a chance to win the game on with two minuteds left but put it wide. PA -
Casemiro 6: Team didn’t play to his strengths in a first half when the home team had 61 per cent of possession but not the best chances. Booked after a double challenge in second half, the second of which was on Fraser. Lovely cross to Rashford on 94. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes 6: Tried to create in a physical game but wasn’t easy against a well organised and coached side. Headed over juste before break. Booked for a stupid foul on another Bruno (Guimaraes) in second half. Floored after a clash of head with Schar, then the moaning started... AP -
Jadon Sancho 5: Needed a good game and he started well. Curled a shot high and wide after 12 minutes. Strong appeal for a penalty after he ran into the box on just before the hour, but once again disappointing and wasn’t replaced as only one sub was used. Reuters -
Antony 6: Shot wide and over after 17 minutes. Tussled with Burn (and came off better after the Newcastle defender was booked) but while his side has more space on the wings than in the centre, he was predictable. Weak shot on target on 60, then broke on 73 but was well challenged by an excellent defence. Getty -
Cristiano Ronaldo 5: Presented with an award by Sir Alex Ferguson pre-match for his 700 goals in club football. Didn’t quite happen for him in the first half. Put the ball in the net at the start of the second but was offside, then did the same 30 seconds later. Came off to light applause but no goals and only 22 touches all match. PA -
SUBS: Marcus Rashford (On for Ronaldo 72’) 5: The Mancunian didn’t start because he was ill. Hit a right footed 81st minute free-kick over. Ran free on the right with two minutes to go and, with the angle narrowing, played a ball across to Fred. Had a clear late chance with a header but failed to hit the target. EPA -
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Important save with feet to deny Antony’s strike late in first half. Not particularly busy afternoon until late in game. Rounded by Rashford but Fred couldn’t finish from ball into box. Then relieved to see Rashford miss header in injury time. EPA -
Kieran Trippier - 7: Such a constant and reliable threat with crosses into box, one of which resulted in Joelinton hitting woodwork twice. Looked like might have tough afternoon ahead as Sancho looked a danger early in game but England teammate’s threat quickly waned. Getty -
Fabian Schar 8: Took some knocks at Old Trafford. Seemed to twist knee after blocking Ronaldo cross then slipping over off the pitch early on, then had clash of heads with Fernandes in second half – able to play on both times. Vital interception on Antony ball into box just before half-time. PA -
Sven Botman 8: Produced perfectly timed sliding tackle to stop Antony charging through on goal in first half, taking painful elbow to head in process. Latest classy performance from Dutch defender who looks at ease in English football. AP -
Dan Burn 6: Playing ahead of Targett at left-back, big defender won header at back post in opening 10 minutes that home side managed to scramble clear. Booked for clipping heels of Ronaldo in first half and found the pace of Antony a challenge. PA -
Sean Longstaff 7: Last-ditch sliding challenge did enough to put off Sancho as United player shot over early in game. An even better covering tackle in second half after Antony had beaten Burn for pace. AFP -
Bruno Guimaraes 7: One of Premier League’s form players was not as influential going forward compared to recent games but still showed plenty of quality in middle of park. On receiving end of nasty tackle by Fernandes in second half that saw Portuguese booked. Reuters -
Joelinton 7: Hit woodwork twice in matter of seconds in first half with successive headers – one off crossbar, one off post and should have scored the second one. Getty -
Jacob Murphy 6: One surging run from halfway line, holding off challenge of Fernandes but could only fire off weak shot after 15 minutes. Little threat otherwise and hooked before hour mark. AFP -
Miguel Almiron 7: Usual relentless workrate from Paraguayan, constantly snapping at heels - must be pain to play against. Blazed shot over bar after being set up on edge of box after clever corner. Reuters -
Callum Wilson 7: Wanted penalty in opening 10 minutes after clumsy Varane challenge but no joy from referee or VAR. Dragged shot wide of target just after break when Magpies caught home team trying to play out from back. Getty -
SUBS: Ryan Fraser (On for Murphy 59’) 6: On receiving end of poor tackle by Casemiro soon after coming on that saw Brazilian booked. Reuters -
Matt Targett (On for Burn 78’) N/A. Getty -
Joe Willock (On for Guimaraes 78’) N/A. PA -
Chris Wood (On for Wilson 78’) N/A. EPA -
Jamaal Lascelles (On for Schar 90+1’) N/A. AP
