Newcastle piled more misery onto Manchester United with a rare 2-0 victory at Old Trafford after a woeful first-half display from the hosts, and you can watch the highlights below.
Poor First-Half Costs Manchester United
Manchester United fans have had to endure some torrid performances this season and the first-half was up there with the worst of them. The second-half was much improved but they still lacked the quality to get back into the game.
There was little optimism going into the game despite their impressive record against Newcastle. Fears were proven right as Aleksandar Isak took just four minutes to score in his sixth consecutive Premier League game.
Noussair Mazraoui was too slow to close down Lewis Hall, and United’s three centre-backs left Isak unmarked to head home.
Anthony Gordon also punished Mazraoui for Newcastle’s second. He drove at the United full-back before sending an inch-perfect cross for Joelinton to head home. However, United fans would argue that the ball appeared to hit the arm of Joelinton before it struck the net.
It could have been worse as Isak squandered a glorious one-on-one chance which he fired straight at Andre Onana, before later in the first-half having an effort disallowed for a clear offside.
The battering in the first-half was so severe that Ruben Amorim hooked off Joshua Zirkzee after 33 minutes. It was a tough moment for the summer signing who headed straight down the tunnel (and later back onto the bench) after fans cheered him being replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
Manchester United’s Improved Second-Half
To Amorim’s credit, it was a positive change as United looked a different team from that moment on.
Rasmus Hojlund fired wide, while Casemiro was unhappy with Mainoo’s heavy pass which he blamed for not being able to direct his effort on target.
The home side were better in the second-half too with their best chance coming in the 60th minute when Harry Maguire hit the post. Substitute Leny Yoro also should have done better when he headed over when left unmarked.
Marcus Rashford made the bench after being left out of United’s last four squads. However, Amorim refused to go to the England international in the second-half despite needing a goal.
Manchester United will take some optimism from the second-half, though their next match against Liverpool could be a mauling if they repeat their first-half display.
Watch: Manchester United vs Newcastle Highlights
The result means Manchester United have conceded 18 goals in the month of December. The most they have conceded in any month since March 1964.
It leaves Manchester United 14th in the table at the end of 2024 with Newcastle in fifth – closing the gap to Chelsea to three points after the Blues suffered a shock loss to Ipswich.
Ipswich’s result means that United are just seven points off the relegation zone.
The Red Devils are next in action against Liverpool on January 5, while in-form Newcastle face Tottenham a day prior.
