Erik ten Hag drew his first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United as the Red Devils played out a goalless draw against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Here are five things we learned from this afternoon’s clash.
David de Gea makes 500th appearance for Manchester United
The Spaniard became the 11th player to reach the landmark for the Red Devils, and Erik ten Hag was full of praise of his number one prior to today’s clash.
The 31-year-old is targeting further milestones with the Red Devils, but with his contract currently set to expire in June, his future will likely depend on whether Ten Hag sees the former Atletico Madrid stopper as a vital cog in his Old Trafford rebuild.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson reunite
De Gea wasn’t the only Manchester United player to be recognised for hitting a big landmark prior to kick off.
Fresh after netting his 700th goal in club football at Goodison Park last Sunday, Ronaldo, like De Gea, was awarded a plate from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The legendary Scotsman has always been seen as a second father figure to United’s number seven, and the pair were beaming with a smile when reuniting on the famous Old Trafford grass once more.
Christian Eriksen a big miss
The Danish playmaker missed today’s clash through illness, and it was the first Premier League game that United’s number 14 didn’t start.
The 30-year-old would have likely started in midfield alongside Casemiro for the second successive game had he been fit, but the former Brentford man’s absence meant that Fred started.
United desperately missed the guile and creativity of our Scandinavian midfield maestro.
Kobbie Mainoo on bench for first time
With Eriksen ill, Scott McTominay suspended, and Donny van de Beek injured, Ten Hag was light on midfield options.
As a result, Stockport-born teenager Mainoo was called-up to the senior side for the first time.
The 17-year-old didn’t come on, but it would have been a priceless experience for the talented midfielder/
Newcastle United a classy and resilient outfit under Eddie Howe
Manchester United put Newcastle to the sword in September last year, it was Ronaldo’s homecoming and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds put four past Steve Bruce’s Magpies.
In December, with Howe now at the St James’ Park helm, United drew 1-1 when Ralf Rangnick was in interim charge.
There is no doubt the world’s richest club is improving under the former Bournemouth manager, and that theme looks only set to continue.
Fred and Rashford missed two great chances late on.
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