Newcastle 2 Man United 1
What a performance from Newcastle. Before I get overemotional talking about United I have to give massive credit for Newcastle for the way they played today, even when they were down to 10-men for the entire second half. Newcastle were by far the better side in the first half running all over United’s midfield but couldn’t find that opening goal which they probably deserved, then on the edge of half-time United get handed a gift as Jacob Ramsey gets a second yellow card for simulation as he tried to get past Senne Lammens which was probably quite harsh in my opinion. Then just a couple of minutes later Bruno Fernandes takes down Anthony Gordon in the box giving Newcastle a penalty to go in front which Gordon takes and scores putting Newcastle 1-0 up, just a few minutes after United get a cheap free-kick which Fernandes whips into Casemiro at the front-post who nods past Ramsdale to bring United back level going into half-time. Going into the second half you’d think United would up the intensity with the extra man but Newcastle continued to dominate and in the end looked happy for a point, until a hopeful ball down the line finds Will Osula who cuts inside and curls a beauty past Lammens to give Newcastle the win in the 91st minute sending St James Park mental as Newcastle earned a well-deserved win.
It’s been coming for Man United over the past few weeks. I’ve been saying it in the last few pieces I’ve done on United that they’ve been getting away with poor performances in the last few games and yet again they failed to impress against Newcastle tonight. I thought when Newcastle got the red card that it would shift United into gear but the second half continued the same as United were so slow on the ball as always and let Newcastle dictate the game even with 10-men, some the performances tonight were downright disgraceful with Bryan Mbeumo putting in one of the worst performances I’ve seen all season along with Mainoo. Bruno Fernandes was the only player looking to make things happen for United tonight up until Zirkzee came on who yet again looked really good and has put his name in the ring to start against Villa next Sunday along with Amad who has to start that game.
A real momentum starter for Newcastle. You look at Newcastle’s fixtures coming up with City in the FA Cup on Saturday then the first leg in the Champions League against Barcelona on Tuesday and you look at tonight’s performance which will give Eddie Howe’s team so much confidence going into two of the biggest games of the season for the club. Defensively even with 10-men they looked solid as Trippier and Burn in particular put in standout performances to keep United at bay in that second half. Teams have gone to St James Park recently and come away with wins so it was important to stop that tonight and Newcastle were excellent for most of the game tonight, Europe is still doable for Newcastle who are now 12th in the league but only 5 points off Brentford in 7th.
In-game management cost Carrick today. I don’t want to be too harsh on Carrick but some of the decisions today were baffling to say the least. The most blatant one was subbing on Tyrell Malacia for Mazraoui who went down with an injury late on but I didn’t even know Malacia still played for United and I support the club, I don’t understand leaving Ayden Heaven on the bench and subbing on someone who looks like he’s never played football before, it cost United the point today as Malacia got nowhere near Osula as he curled in the winner. I would have had Mbeumo off at half-time for Amad seeing as he was on a yellow card and playing horrifically but he wasn’t subbed he wasn’t subbed off until the 77th minute somehow. The lack of intensity from this United side has been frightening over the last few games and has to change if United want to maintain that position in the top 4/5, that race is going to go down to the final day as it always does, hopefully United will have already sown that spot up.
What an opportunity missed for Man United. United were handed the game on a silver platter as the referee showed Ramsey a red card yet they decided they weren’t interested in actually putting some daylight between them and the rest of chasing pack as only 3 points separates 6th and 3rd at the minute with Chelsea hammering Villa 1-4. With Liverpool losing last night this was such a brilliant chance to all but confirm that place in the Champions League next season but they failed to capitalise and have to sit on the loss for 11 days until they play a massive game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. That game could all but decide both teams fate as Villa are currently in free fall and United getting their first loss in the league since losing to Villa back in December at Villa Park. A long way to go until then so stay tuned in for the Champions League matches next week which look sure hopefully take the mind of United for a while.