Newcastle United 2 Manchester United 0
[ Highlights – Post-Match Reaction ]
Newcastle United jumped above Manchester United into third place in the Premier League with a comfortable two-nil win over a tired and listless United. The poor performance by United calls into question their qualification for the champions league, especially if they fail to return to the form from earlier in the season.
Both goals came as a result of crosses, and clearly Newcastle had planned to expose United’s weaknesses in that area. However, United were sub-par in all areas. They failed to give the Newcastle keeper a save to make in the first half, and only a double save from De Gea kept the game even going in at halftime.
United didn’t improve in the second half. They looked lethargic and were second-best all over the pitch. On the sixty-five minute mark, Newcastle were rewarded for their superiority with a superb goal. Isak juggled the ball on the edge of the area, then slipped a ball through for Guimaraes who chipped to the far post, where San-Maximan headed it back across goal before Willock finished from close range. United had seven players in the area. Newcastle four. Manchester United looked outnumbered all game.
United never looked like getting back into the game. Newcastle scored a second goal late on from a more straightforward cross from Trippier that Wilson headed home to make it two.
United were well beaten by a fresher, hungrier and more organised side. They looked exhausted and at two nil down today, could’ve easily conceded more.
Newcastle United:
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock, Murphy, Isak, Saint-Maximin.
Subs: Dubravka, Lascelles, Targett, Manquillo, Ritchie, Anderson, Joelinton, Gordon, Wilson.
Manchester United:
de Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, McTominay, Fernandes, Sabitzer, Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.
Subs: Bishop, Butland, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Fred, Pellistri, Martial, Sancho.