Some within Newcastle United 'weren't overly impressed' after Steve Bruce took a holiday during the international break, according to The Athletic's Chris Waugh. 

The lowdown

The Magpies were beaten 4-1 by Manchester United on Saturday, extending their winless start to the season and leaving them languishing in 19th place.

The Daily Mail's Craig Hope reported that Bruce headed to Portugal during the two-week interlude between Premier League matches.

The manager was asked whether that was the case following the defeat at Old Trafford, and responded angrily (via @ChronicleNUFC).

The latest

In a Q&A for The Athletic, Waugh was asked by a supporter how the team had reacted to Bruce's overseas trip, and the journalist insisted that he couldn't 'comment for all the squad'.

However, he added that 'at least a few sources have suggested' that the move from the manager went down poorly in some quarters within St James' Park.

The verdict

If indeed Bruce did go on holiday recently, then it was ill-judged. Yes, it was an international break with a number of players jetting off across the world, but the optics should have been considered.

Newcastle surrendered victory in agonising circumstances prior to the break, conceding a 96th-minute penalty against Southampton. It was also a game which saw chants of 'we want Bruce out' from sections of the home support, so the manager did not need to risk fanning the flames.

It's almost impossible to see an amicable end to the 60-year-old's tenure at St James' Park following this development.

In other news, this Newcastle player came under fire for his performance on Saturday.