What Manchester United fans demanded a month ago is even more relevant now

Man Utd supporters sent a message to their players a month ago and it has quickly been forgotten

It was one month ago today that Manchester United narrowly beat Fulham in the Premier League, a game best remembered for what happened off the pitch as much as on it.

Bruno Fernandes struck at the death to clinch a second successive last-gasp winner at Craven Cottage, one that helped mask an otherwise rather limp performance.

As the United players warmed up on the pitch ahead of the match, a fan in the away end unfurled a homemade banner that was clearly visible to all those of a United persuasion. The words 'Play like you mean it!!' painted in black on a white bedsheet. A simple message, but one that is easier said than done.

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A month later, that fan message is as relevant as it has ever been after the pitiful nature of United's defeat to Newcastle over the weekend.

Erik ten Hag might point to the injury crisis, fixture schedule and pre-match preparations as contributing factors to the defeat, but none of those are a valid excuse for what came across as a lack of effort at St. James' Park.

The United manager argued with Anthony Martial for a lack of pressing in the final third and Marcus Rashford, who hadn't even played in midweek due to suspension, struggled for an hour before he was replaced.

No supporter is ever happy to see their team lose, especially not against a top-four rival, but a defeat can at least be more palatable if there are positives to take and you leave the stadium knowing that your side at the very least gave it their best shot. If you are going to lose, at least go down fighting.

Instead, United fans left the ground in sheer disbelief at such a lacklustre and underwhelming performance in which they simply appeared to sit back and wait for the inevitable. There was no defiance, no siege mentality, and no evidence of a team that looked like they could win. United were only that in name.

Steve McClaren had to stand at the top of the tunnel at full-time, instructing a number of players back out onto the pitch to applaud the loyal supporters who had made the gruelling journey to the north-east. Again, it was the basics that let the team down.

Ten Hag has to take some of the blame himself, even if the issues are deep-rooted at the club. United still lack any clear identity or long-term plan and, once again, his substitutions and team selection were brought into question.

United had headed into the week with an inflated sense of bravado after misleading wins had led them to the top of the Premier League form table, but when the pressure really counted, they wilted once again.

Everton was a step forward, but they have since taken two steps back. Even that win at Goodison Park is the subject of revisionism, given how fortunate they were to lead at half-time.

United host Chelsea and Bournemouth this week before the true tests follow next, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool quickly approaching on the horizon.

"I will talk with my team about the reasons but we have to do better," Ten Hag acknowledged after their unacceptable weekend performance. "I am sure they will pick this up; I am sure they are resilient and they have the character to do this."

It would be no great surprise if United did pick up two wins against teams below them in the table in their Old Trafford comfort zone this week, but how they play next week against two of the best sides in the world will be the real test of their ability.

United need to play like they mean it. It might not be enough to solve their problems but it would at least be a start.