Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick admitted that the first loss as the club’s coach hurts. United suffered a 2-1 loss against Newcastle United at St. James Park on Wednesday.

The home team took the lead as Anthony Gordon scored from a spot kick in the first half stoppage time. However, United equalised after just three minutes as Brazilian midfielder Casemiro found the back of the net.

When it looked like that both teams would share the spoils, William Osula scored the winner for the hosts in the 90th minute. 

Under Carrick’s tutelage, United had won six out of their seven matches before Wednesday, but this was the former midfielder’s first loss as the club’s manager.

“Disappointed obviously,” he said. “Bitterly disappointed. It hurts that tonight. We definitely came here in good shape, looking to get something from the game, if not win the game and we’re disappointed with the way it panned out.

“We can be an awful lot better. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, a decent position with the performances and the results that we’ve had, so tonight hurts.”

Before the loss to Newcastle on Wednesday, Carrick said they could have a run at leaders Arsenal, who are now 16 points ahead of United.

“I think we’ve just got to try and keep winning games and see. Above us now there’s two fantastic teams. There’s some really good teams in and around us,” Carrick said on Tuesday. “We’ve had a good run, we’re certainly not getting carried away.

“Of course, I’m being realistic about it. We have to win a lot of football matches for that to happen.” 

Manchester United will next face Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.