Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes a demanding run of away fixtures got the better of his players.
The Red Devils were widely criticised after a poor display against Newcastle United at the weekend.
While they were only beaten 1-0 at St. James' Park, Man United were second best for most of the game.
So, we are not robots," Ten Hag told reporters in his latest press conference.
If you play three games in six days, tough games, by the end fatigue can be an issue. It can never be an excuse but it is there.
Against Galatasaray, against Everton, we played very good. Against Newcastle, we were not happy with our performance and we are the first to say that.
The players are the first [to say that] and so self-critical that they admit this. We know we have to do better than this."