Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has claimed that he and his teammates need to stay "switched on" in order to avoid letting leads slip like they did against Newcastle United on Tuesday night.

Wayne Rooney gave United the lead twice at St James' Park, but Paul Dummett's 90th-minute strike resulted in a 3-3 draw.

"I think if you came into the changing rooms after the match, it was like we'd lost the game," Smalling told MUTV.

"We put ourselves in such a good position and we could have finished it a little bit earlier, but even when we did so well to get to 3-2, we need to hold on and be a bit stronger.

"We got that early goal which settled us down and we could have scored more, but it's about finding that balance so we're not giving away these sloppy goals just before half-time and just before the final whistle. They're key times in the game and we need to make sure we're switched on."

United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, two points adrift of a Champions League spot.