Manchester United’s ability to find new lows every week in the Premier League has another addition as they lost 0-2 to Newcastle at Old Trafford.
It’s the fourth consecutive loss for the team and says a lot about the performance that this was arguably the worst of the four.
Newcastle dominated from start to finish, United barely laying a glove on them despite getting gifted chances on a platter at times.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton scored from headers in the first half against a passive United, with Amorim so miffed he hooked Zirkzee off at the half-an-hour mark.
The second half was much better from United although that’s not a compliment considering how bad the first one was.
Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire missed their headers and United piled on the pressure but Newcastle remained defiant with some last-ditch tackling to keep them at bay.
The game finished 2-0 to Newcastle, a scoreline United can’t have many complaints with.
Here’s how the players rated-
Andre Onana – 4
Is there anything more embarrassing for a goalkeeper than the opposition thinking their best chance of scoring from a corner is to take a shot directly?
Matthijs de Ligt – 3
Put on his backside multiple times by a tricky Isak as he was too eager to slide into tackles. Rattled by the press.
Harry Maguire – 4
No individual error but part of a failing system that was just waiting for Newcastle to pile forward and finish them.
Lisandro Martinez – 2
Outjumped by Joelinton for the second and absent for Isak’s first. A nightmare display on his captaincy debut for United.
Noussair Mazraoui – 2
Arguably his worst game since joining United and he conceded a penalty just two games ago! Too careless in possession and not assertive enough in stopping crosses. Team malaise finally affecting him.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Some tackles from behind saved United’s blushes but being a “good” performer on a wretched day like this is hardly cause for celebration.
Casemiro – 3
Misplaced passes, late in tackles, failed interceptions, and a glorious chance missed to top it all off.
Christian Eriksen – 3
Amorim tried to put him out of his misery by moving him further forward and some of his passes did find players in space but Newcastle’s energy was the perfect antidote to his biggest weakness- athleticism.
Amad – 5
Nowhere near his best like the rest of the team but at least he kept showing for the ball and trying things instead of going into hiding, wilting under the pressure from an anxious Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee – 1
Subbed off within 30 minutes to loud cheers from the Old Trafford faithful, a damning sight. The type of game a player never recovers from until he changes clubs.
Rasmus Hojlund – 3
Fed off scraps but missed the one chance he had by shooting wide.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
Mainoo’s absence was questionable at the start and the immediately positive impact he had on buildup and progression after coming on for Zirkzee stressed that view. A mistake by Amorim.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Ineffectual and peripheral after coming on.
Leny Yoro – 6
Missed a great chance from a header but looked quality generally. One of the true building blocks for this team in the future.
Antony – 6
Not much impact after the late introduction
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