Manchester United suffered a frustrating 2-0 loss to Newcastle Unted on Sunday, a result which dented the Red Devils’ top-four hopes.
The Magpies were by far the better side and managed to exact some revenge for the Carabao Cup final defeat in February, while Newcastle moved above United with the win.
It was the host who dominated the first half at St James’ Park and produced 11 shots in the opening 45 minutes. Sean Longstaff went close with an early effort that was blocked by Lisandro Martinez, while David de Gea’s double save on 16 minutes denied Alexander Isak and then Joe Willock, before the United keeper also kept out Allan Saint-Maximin’s curled attempt.
Longstaff and Willock fired over from distance as the half continued, with Erik ten Hag’s side limited to a just handful of opportunities, the best of which saw Wout Weghorst hit the side netting from a shot inside the box.
The second period started slowly, with Antony seeing a tame shot held before Fabian Schar’s strike from distance crashed wide. But on 65 minutes the Magpies took a deserved lead. Bruno Guimaraes’ cross to the back post was headed back across by Saint-Maximin, with Willock nodding in from just a few yards out, to the joy of a raucous crowd in the North-East.
De Gea was then forced into a superb save to keep out a Joelinton header, while Schar’s follow-up hit the outside of the post on 76 minutes. Soon after, Willock shot wide before Anthony Martial had a rare United chance, but his effort deflected wide.
The visitors went for it in the latter stages with a triple change from Ten Hag, but it was Newcastle who got a late goal. Callum Wilson jumped higher than Victor Lindelof in the box and headed in from an excellent Kieran Trippier cross, a goal which wrapped up the three points for Newcastle.
Here’s how we rated the United players…
1. David de Gea- 8
Made some great early saves and could do little about Newcastle’s goal. The keeper’s best stop was to deny Joelinton late on.
2. Diogo Dalot- 4
Found it difficult against Saint-Maximin and the winger regularly skipped past the United no.20.
3. Raphael Varane- 5 (off 83)
Had a few awkward touches and wasn’t at his best.
4. Lisandro Martinez- 6 (off 83)
Flew into a number of challenges and tried to inject some passion into United’s display.