Manchester United fell to a devastating 4-1 loss at the hands of Newcastle on Sunday at St James’ Park.
Ruben Amorim made a few changes to the lineup, with one eye on the return leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon on Thursday.
With Andre Onana dropped from the matchday squad, Altay Bayindir started in goal, in what was his first Premier League appearance. Amorim deployed a three-man defence of Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro.
Manuel Ugarte and Christian Eriksen started as the midfield two, with Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes in the two No. 10 roles. Joshua Zirkzee was tasked with the responsibility of leading the line for United.
First-half
United started well, dominating possession and looking to get into a rhythm. However, it was Newcastle who looked more dangerous and they had the ball into the back of the net just two minutes in, as Joelinton turned in a cross from Kieran Trippier. Luckily for United, the flag went up immediately as the Brazilian was offside and as a result, the goal was ruled out.
United continued to keep the ball, although they weren’t doing much with it. Jacob Murphy came close to giving his side the lead after Zirkzee easily turned the ball over but he fired wide from range.
The flurry of chances Newcastle fashioned perhaps rattled United, who became a bit reckless in possession. Newcastle grew in confidence, winning most of the duels and the midfield battle.
United’s first bit of attacking play came when Garnacho found Dalot on the overlap, inviting the wing-back to cross it but he couldn’t quite connect with Zirkzee, who only managed to hit a defender. Zirkzee tried to appeal for a handball but the referee was not interested.
Amorim’s men produced another great move, with Zirkzee backheeling it to Fernandes, who returned the ball to the Dutchman. Zirkzee fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box but Nick Pope swung into action and tipped it over.
Newcastle continued to grow into the game and took the lead in the 24th minute courtesy of Sandro Tonali. Ugarte gave the ball away and seconds later, Trippier picked out Alexander Isak inside the box. The Swede got away from his marker and dinked the ball over Yoro and Lindelof for Tonali. The Italy international went ahead to smash it into the bottom corner.
Tonali nearly had a second less than five minutes later with a ferocious shot from about 25 yards out but he couldn’t direct it on target.
Bayindir was then forced into a superb double save, first denying Tino Livramento and then thwarting Isak, who struck a volley from close range.
Against the run of play, United restored parity in the 37th minute through Garnacho. Ugarte won possession in the middle of the park and passed it to Dalot, who brilliantly powered into the Newcastle territory before slipping in Garnacho. The youngster kept his cool and expertly tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
The goal was just Garnacho’s second in 20 Premier League games
United didn’t have a lot of clear-cut chances but they looked dangerous whenever they bombed forward.
Second half
Amorim didn’t make any personnel changes during the break. United looked dangerous immediately after the restart, with Zirkzee brilliantly getting past Fabian Schar and putting Dalot through on goal.
Dalot was about to shoot and it looked like he was shoved in the back by Tonali but the referee didn’t deem the contact sufficient enough to award a penalty.
The Magpies retook their lead in the 49th minute. Livramento easily evaded Dalot and delivered a low cross inside the box to Murphy, who cut it back to an arriving Harvey Barnes. The English forward was all to happy to tap in home.
Just four minutes later, Zirkzee launched a powerful surging run in a bid to bring the visitors level, skillfully weaving past multiple challenges, but the effort proved costly, as he seemed to pull his hamstring in the process.
Amorim was forced to take Zirkzee off and replace him with Rasmus Hojlund. Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount also came on for Amass and Garnacho.
The changes didn’t spark United into life as Newcastle doubled their advantage shortly after the hour-mark, again through Barnes. The England international capitalised on an error from Mazraoui, broke through on goal and finished past Bayindir.
The third goal put Newcastle in a commanding position, and they dominated for large spells thereafter, using their physicality to full effect and keeping United pinned in their own half.
United struggled with the Tyneside outfit’s aggressive press and Zirkzee’s withdrawal meant there was no outlet to push higher up the pitch.
Ugarte fired a long-range effort from the edge of the box but it was speculative at best and didn’t really trouble Pope.
Newcastle put the game to bed in the 77th minute with a fourth goal, this time via Bruno Guimaraes. Joelinton intercepted Bayindir’s pass and laid it off to Guimaraes, who proceeded to find the back of the net.
Amorim brought in Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw but the game was already gone by then and the two couldn’t really have an impact.
United are back in action on Thursday when they host Lyon for the return leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The Red Devils will undoubtedly be eager to get back to winning ways and put this shambolic defeat behind them.
Featured image George Wood via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
