Bruno Fernandes conceded Manchester United have "never suffered like this" following their 4-1 defeat by Newcastle United.

Ruben Amorim's side were outclassed at St. James' Park by their buoyant hosts, who boosted their Champions League qualification hopes by climbing to fourth place.

The Red Devils were level at half-time after Alejandro Garnacho cancelled out Sandro Tonali's earlier volley.

However, Newcastle found another gear after the restart. Harvey Barnes scored twice, while Bruno Guimaraes pounced on an error by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to add further gloss to the scoreline.

United’s 14 league defeats this season is their joint highest tally in a single Premier League campaign, also losing 14 games last term. The Red Devils last suffered more defeats in a top-flight campaign in 1989-90 (16 in 38 games).

United dropped to 14th place, seven points adrift of the top half, and Fernandes could not hide his frustration with his side's current situation.

"There's not much to assess, we lost the game," he told Sky Sports. "In the first half, we did well. In the second half, we couldn't keep up the way we wanted to play.

"We know that it's been a tough season, nothing to add to that. Our position in the table is not where this club belongs, but unfortunately, we are not getting the results. 

"We are in this position because we have not been consistent in the performances we put out. We lack being more fearless, being more brave. Today was not the case because we ended up conceding goals by trying to be brave.

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"It's easy to criticise because this club has never suffered like this, so it's normal. You have to be aware you play for United and criticism will be there."

United's attention now turns to their season-defining Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon on Thursday.

The competition provides a potential route into the Champions League should the Red Devils go on and lift the trophy, and Fernandes hopes he and his team-mates can give the club's supporters coming to cheer about.

"Our fans have been there all season during bad moments," he added. "Today, they were there at the end trying to cheer us up. It's time we give something back.

"I know how tough it is to represent this club. [The players] want so much to give to the club, to win, because they know how much they will be remembered if they win something with this club.

"We need to look forward as we have a big game coming up. We need to clear our heads and go for it. We need to be on the front foot and give everything we have, because we want to get to the semi-final.

"In tough moments, we have done great performances against the biggest clubs - in decisive games when everyone is watching. We are Man United, we have to step up and do everything to win the game."