Harry Maguire makes brutally honest Newcastle United claim after Man Utd clash at St James' Park

Harry Maguire admits Newcastle United were "a lot" better than Manchester United during Saturday's Premier League clash at St James' Park.

The Magpies registered 22 shots at Andre Onana's goal as Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. In comparison, the visitors managed eight, with only one of those on target.

Incredibly, Maguire thought he had snatched a point for the Red Devils in the closing stages when Antony's shot deflected in off him. However, celebrations were cut short with the England defender in an offside position.

The win saw Newcastle leapfrog the Red Devils in the league table and move up to fifth, and Maguire was honest enough to admit that Eddie Howe's men deserved it.

"It's been a tough week with three away days in six days," said Maguire.

"To be fair, in the first half, we looked like we'd played our third away day in six days. To tempo wasn't there, the intensity wasn't there. They were a lot better than us. We grew into the game, but we didn't have enough in the end.

"We put pressure on. We could have had a goal, we had one disallowed. We didn't create enough in the game, our threat wasn't big enough."

Pressure is once again building on manager Erik ten Hag. Man United haven't won away from home against a top-eight team since October 2021 and it's the first time they've lost three times in a row to Newcastle since 1922.

Magpies legend Alan Shearer tore into the Red Devils' players on Match of the Day, picking out the performance of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, but Maguire leaped to the former's defence.

"It's not a nice stat to have. we knew it was a big chance to prove ourselves. We know the intensity they play at. We didn't do enough and we'll look to get the three points in the week.

 "Marcus had an unbelievable season last season. This season, it hasn't clicked for him. He's working hard. Everyone in that dressing room knows what he's about."