We’ll turn things around, sorry McDermott tells Leeds boo boys

The United manager insisted he would find a way to instill a “winning mentality” into his squad as he faced up to a fifth Championship loss of the term and the continuation of a bad run of results.

Two concessions in the space of three first-half minutes condemned Leeds to a 3-1 defeat at Pride Park on Saturday – the club’s 10th straight loss in clashes with Derby – and McDermott and his players were involved in a prolonged exchange of views in their dressing room afterwards.

United have taken six points from their past seven league matches and were subjected to a smattering of boos from the away end after Will Hughes’ 76th-minute strike rounded off Derby’s win.

A header from Jason Pearce shortly before half-time had threatened to provoke a fightback from Leeds but County’s goalkeeper, Lee Grant, was rarely tested after the break.

McDermott said: “We need to get a mentality where we’re very difficult to play against away from home.

“It’s not about hoping to get a result. It’s about knowing that you’re going to get a result. That’s where we’ve got to get to, somehow, but it’s amazing what you can do.

“Things can happen and players who’ve been written off previously can get a winning mentality. I’ve seen it before. Can we foster that? Definitely. I’m determined to get it right.”

Derby were in the hands of new manager Steve McClaren for the first time and a 20th-minute strike from Chris Martin – taken amid disorganised Leeds defending – set the tone of the afternoon.

Saturday’s fixture took United into the international break and McDermott admitted he was glad of the opportunity to draw breath after a period in which his side have played seven times in 21 days.

“It’ll be good for us to have these two weeks,” he said. “We can refresh ourselves, reflect on what’s happened and move forward.”

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