'It gave us a kick up the arse' - Shaw hails 'strong' Mourinho half-time team-talk

Jose Mourinho's half-time team-talk was a "kick up the arse" and the driving force behind Manchester United's comeback to beat Newcastle, according to full-back Luke Shaw.

Rafael Benitez's side led 2-0 at the break through goals from Kenedy and Yoshi Muto as United's winless run at Old Trafford looked set to continue.

But following the break the hosts staged a rousing comeback, with goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez completing victory in the final minute.

Mourinho had detailed the nature of the exchange with his team at the interval, claiming they had "promised we’d give everything with no fear" during the second 45 minutes.

And Shaw has revealed he knew United's comeback was possible from the moment the team emerged from the dressing room.

"If I'm honest, yeah, 100% [I could see it turning around], as soon as we came out in the second [half]," he explained to MUTV.

"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 arse, 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."

The comeback came amid reports that Mourinho would be sacked by United regardless of the outcome over Newcastle, who remain winless this season, after their worst start to a league season for 29 years.

Such suggestions did nothing to dampen the atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams, however, where chants of 'attack, attack, attack' at half-time were followed by a swashbuckling display.

"The fans were amazing, they pushed us on. They were a massive factor," the England defender added. 

"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."