Man Utd and Erik ten Hag should be "embarrassed" after Everton Spurs draw, claims respected journalist

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United should be “embarrassed” after Everton's draw with Tottenham Hotspur, according to a reputable journalist.

On Sunday United fell to a bruising 2-0 defeat against top-four rivals Newcastle United. The Magpies’ win alongside Spurs' draw on Monday night, has seen both teams leapfrog United.

In turn, despite the great strides taken by United this term under Ten Hag, the club are currently languishing in fifth place, albeit with two games in hand over Spurs.

Indeed, the Dutchman has restored the optimism at Old Trafford, which is why many United fans will be surprised to see the club trailing Spurs, a team that has endured a tumultuous season and is currently without a full-time manager.

After Spurs’ 1-1 draw against Everton on Monday, Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst tweeted: “That Spurs result and performance needs to jolt [United] as much as their performance at Newcastle.

“Any serious club should be embarrassed to be below this uninspiring set of Tottenham players. Everton had everything Spurs lack.”

In response to a fan noting that Spurs had played two games more than United, Luckhurst added: “Indeed, though United’s poor league form (three wins in last nine) has made it needlessly tight.

“Shouldn’t have given Spurs a prayer.”

Luke Shaw on Man Utd's Newcastle defeat

After United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle Luke Shaw admitted the Old Trafford club had been beaten by "passion, desire, hunger and attitude".

Speaking to Sky Sports, the left back said: "I don't think they won the game on quality today, they won it on passion, desire, hunger, attitude, and they had higher motivation than us and that can't be possible.

"I feel I say the same things every time we lose. It's not acceptable. At Manchester United that can't be possible."

Ten Hag was equally unimpressed by his team’s poor performance.

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The Dutchman said: "Luke Shaw was right, I agree with him, Newcastle wanted it more,"

"They were more determined, passionate and had more desire. I hate to say it, but they were better today. Especially in determination, passion and desire. They wanted to win more this week. So they won.

"We had our opportunities but then you have to go for the goal with the determination they did. It wasn't good enough. We allowed them too many chances. In the past, we were better. You have to be hungry, give everything, every game.

"Our attacking game was not good enough."

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.