Simon Grayson has blasted his Leeds players for Tuesday’s woeful performance at Bury where they went down 4-0, conceding three goals after the home side put on several youngsters and trialists.

The United boss apologised to the 1,700-plus travelling fans, most of whom trailed despondently away before the end of the match.

Grayson said: “It hurts and it should hurt everyone, mainly the players. No one comes out of this with much credit.”

The United manager refused to accept the excuse that it was just a pre-season game coming close on the heels of a trip to Slovakia and a full day’s training on Monday.

“It’s preparation for the start of the season and it’s a body blow,” he said.

“If we replicate that performance and attitude at the beginning of the season, then we’ll get done in the Championship by seven or eight.

“This is a wake-up call for one or two players, a major kick up the backside and reminder that they are still competing for the jerseys.”