Manchester United put in a woeful display on Saturday as Erik ten Hag’s side lost 1-0 against Newcastle United.
The Red Devils went into the game as the Premier League’s most in-form side, yet reverted to the norm under Ten Hag and produced another atrocious display away to a top-half side. The Magpies earned a well-deserved victory at St James’ Park thanks to Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal. It should really have been more, had Newcastle managed to convert more of their 22 shots across the game.
It was a sloppy and uncoordinated display from the Red Devils, with the only chance of note in the opening half coming from Alejandro Garnacho’s low, driven shot that was kept out by the feet of Nick Pope.
The hosts dominated and managed 14 shots in the first 45 minutes, including an effort poked towards the bottom corner from Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak’s strike that deflected wide off Harry Maguire, while Jamal Lascelles header flashed off target.
But it was from a Kieran Trippier that Newcastle went closest, with the full-back’s effort crashing off the crossbar before a relieved Andre Onana gratefully clutched the ball.
The second half continued in a similar vein, and it felt like only a matter of time until Newcastle opened the scoring. It took until the 55th minute, with Gordon finishing simply at the back post from Kieran Trippier’s cross following a well-worked Newcastle attack.
If Ten Hag hoped for a response, he was to be disappointed, and it took until the 82nd minute for United to create a meaningful opening. Before that, Fabian Schar had fired over from distance, before Aaron Wan-Bissaka got back in time to clear a Lewis Miley shot off the line.
It took until the latter stages for United to offer any real threat, with Sergio Reguilon’s vicious volley cleared by Schar from inside the box. United did manage to get the ball into the back of the Newcastle net in the 89th minute, but Antony’s shot hit an offside Harry Maguire before fizzing past Martin Dubravka, and the goal was rightly ruled out.
The Red Devils did up their efforts near the end, with Maguire finishing the game as a striker, but it was too little, too late. United failed to fashion any decent scoring opportunities, and the 1-0 loss sees them drop to seventh in the table.
Here's how we rated the United players...
1. Andre Onana- 5
Endured a few nervy moments, including flapping at a cross and slicing a ball straight out of play. Onana did make some good saves during the game, however.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 4 (off 80)
Found it difficult up against Gordon on the Newcastle left, and his lack of concentration allowed the forward to score a simple tap-in. Wan-Bissaka did make a goal-saving block in the 79th minute.
3. Harry Maguire- 6
Defended well for the first hour and played a significant role in the scoreline remaining close. Maguire cut a frustrated figure in the last third of the game and was booked for a challenge on Gordon.
4. Luke Shaw- 6
Played centre-back and made some good interceptions. Shaw was solid in possession and was among the team's better performers.