Sunday 7 October 2018 18:24, UK
Luke Shaw has revealed the strength of Manchester United's half-time team-talk was the "kick up the backside" that inspired them to victory over Newcastle.
The United left-back did not disclose the source of the "very strong" words but insisted that "everything that was said was correct and needed", as goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez overturned the 2-0 first-half deficit.
Shaw says he felt in his gut that they would win the game as they re-emerged from the dressing room and it felt like Manchester United performances of old.
He told MUTV: 'If I'm honest yeah 100 per cent [I could see it turning around], as soon as we came out in the second [half]. I felt as soon as it kicked off, something inside me was meant to be. We were meant to come back, meant to win.
"A lot of strong words were said at half-time in the changing room. I think everything that was said was correct, and what we needed. To be 2-0 down at half-time against Newcastle at home was really bad.
"It helped us. The changes helped us. We came out a new side, what we should be like every game. There is no reason we shouldn't be like that - the quality we have, which I've said in the past we have but we're not utilising.
"At half time, I'm sure there were a lot of happy people around the world loving every moment of it, but the team spirit is very strong in here. The half-time team talk was very strong, but it was needed and gave us a kick up the a**e, you could say. We came out different, the way we were much better in the second much quicker and more direct, and more like the United in the old days."
After overnight reports that manager Jose Mourinho would be sacked were denied by the club ahead of kick-off, the United supporters sang the manager's name at full-time, to applause from the Portuguese.
Shaw said: "The fans were amazing, they pushed us on. They were a massive factor. Especially with the bad results, they've been really good to us. You could say this was payback but we should be winning these games.
"It's a good day for us and a good win that was much needed before the international break. It's now most important to remember that second half, to keep that with us, and keep doing it from the start, and keep that momentum, hunger and passion. We should be wining more games comfortably."
