The back door has not only been slammed shut but it is barred and bolted. Maybe Newcastle plundering nine goals in their previous two matches had diverted attention but the real reason only one Premier League game has been lost in 10 is because of their defensive resistance.
A miserly nine goals have been conceded all season and no one in the top flight has better figures than that. United leaked 62 goals in each of their last two league campaigns but those days of generosity are long gone.
The Red Devils of Manchester United were the latest to be denied and indeed Newcastle might have made it three back to back victories had big Joelinton not reverted to nature. A gifted, natural midfield powerhouse, the Brazilian suddenly became the toothless centre-forward of old with little more than 20 minutes gone.
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Following a Kieran Trippier free-kick for which he had ventured into the penalty area Big Joe first smacked the bar with a header then struck the post from the rebound.
The real miss was his second header with David De Gea stranded on the floor. Had it gone in Man U would have been stone dead long before sub Marcus Rashford did a decent impersonation of Joelinton with only seconds left of injury time. It was poetic justice because the Magpies did not deserve to suffer heartache at the death in the way they did at Liverpool.
If Nick Pope was protected by a resourceful back four which eventually included substitutes Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Targett then men further upfield did their bit to make certain barriers were not breached. None more so than Sean Longstaff, the shield in front of the central defenders. Yet let no one suggest the Mags are spoilers, defensive meanies with nine men behind the ball rarely to advance over the halfway line.
That was a Steve Bruce side which still leaked like a sieve incidentally whereas this Eddie Howe team is high pressing, hard working and, yes, adventurous. It is just that United have bought well in terms of defenders and it shows. Maybe Newcastle can be accused of drawing too many matches so far because they have at times been unable to convert possession and chances into goals but their single point returns against the two Manchester clubs, City and United, have unquestionably been good results.
The Old Trafford tussle came at the start of a busy week with Everton to follow at SJP on Wednesday night before a visit to high flying Tottenham. Bearing that in mind there is no question United are walking a tightrope having not only Alexander Isak but Allan Saint-Maximin out of contention after setbacks in training.
They can make a significant difference in the final third and can turn draws into wins, especially against what will be a stubborn Everton in 48 hours time. The absence of Maxi and Isak leaves United's bench looking thin. However these are happy days considering what we endured while Mike Ashley tried to sell football shirts on the back of club ownership. We must remember what went before in our name and be grateful.
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