Manchester United returned to action with a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
Here is a look at five things we learned from the game…
Every bit as tough as we expected
Newcastle are the real deal as top four contenders. To still be in the mix at this late stage of the season is indicative of this, and they came out charged up for this game from the first whistle.
They were always going to go full throttle for this one after their Carabao Cup final defeat. The first half in particular was a case of attempting to weather the storm, and Manchester United were fortunate to get to the break at 0-0.
United cannot have any complaints about the result. The team did not create enough chances and clearly lacked Casemiro’s dominant presence in midfield.
The good news is this might have been the toughest Premier League game left on Manchester United’s schedule.
Anthony Martial makes his return
Wout Weghorst was completely ineffective in this game, missing his one chance by firing it into the side netting. He completed only four passes in the first half.
It was no surprise to see him replaced, with Anthony Martial, back in the squad for the first time since early February.
Martial played the final half an hour, making a timely return. Just getting him back out on the pitch is a positive in an important month.
He made an impressive defensive contribution by clearing an effort off the line, and showed his quality in possession when he did get a few touches.
Away day questions continue
Erik ten Hag‘s side have made good strides this season, however, away against top teams, results have been very poor.
While this wasn’t as horrific as the away losses at Manchester City and Liverpool, it was still a defeat. United have now also lost away at Newcastle and Arsenal too.
United’s away form has generally been good this season in all competitions, but these losses away at rivals can’t continue, and is a problem Erik ten Hag needs to fix and improve on in his second season.
The visit to Tottenham later this month will be a big game in the context of the league table, and has become even more of a must-win, or at least, ‘do not lose’.
Top four wide open
This defeat did what we feared; blow the top four race wide open. Newcastle have now leapfrogged us on goal difference.
Tottenham play Everton on Monday night and can send us down into fifth place. Spurs have already played a game more, however.
The top four race is within our grasp still. We are in a strong position, but the next two home games are huge, up against Brentford in midweek then Everton on Saturday.
Casemiro will still be suspended for those two games. United can’t afford to drop more points. This is going to be a real battle between now and then end of the season.
De Gea targeted
David de Gea pulled off a terrific double save in the first half, showing his reflexes, and demonstrating why some want him to remain at the club next season.
In the second half, his weaknesses were highlighted by his reluctance to come off his line for Newcastle’s two headed goals.
Newcastle appeared to target De Gea with corners and crosses into the six yard box, and it was a tactic which paid off.
Manchester United need to work out whether this is fixable, probably not, or a weakness that Ten Hag is simply willing to accept as a trade-off with his shot-stopping.
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