Match Review: Newcastle United 2-0 Manchester United
Newcastle knew with a win they could leapfrog United in the league standings as they faced their Carabao Cup counterparts for the first time since.
United missed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the starting lineup as they arrived in Newcastle as the right-back was forced out of the squad through illness. Diogo Dalot started against Allan Saint-Maximin for the first time since he was subbed off against the Frenchman during their Carabao Cup Final encounter.
In a rather cagey opening ten minutes it was Newcastle who had the better of United. De Gea used Newcastle's dark-arts against them early on to try & defuse the pressure, taking an age with most goal-kicks. Something Newcastle have been accused of throughout the season.
Annoying. They try to annoy you. If you see from the FA the referees want to play effective time, they [Newcastle] have the lowest, they are quite successful with it.
David De Gea kept his side in it early on with an instinctive double save from point blank range, stopping a towering header from Isak before getting down low to prevent Joe Willock tapping in from 3-yards-out.
Newcastle continually worked balls down the inside channel of Shaw & Martinez, where over 60% of their attacks featured throughout the first half.
Without Casemiro, United have no structure or protection in-front of their backline which causes major panic/problems from even the most basic of attacks.
Not sure if Scott McTominay's recent goalscoring prowess away on International duty played a key factor in ten Hag's decision making ahead of this game as the Scottish International played further forward, leaving Bruno Fernandes sitting in a deeper double-pivot role alongside Sabitzer.
Marcus Rashford struck a frustrated figure throughout as the inform forward couldn't get involved in the game. United were ultimately lucky to be level at the break as they couldn't even muster one shot on target for the first time this season in the Premier League.
The second half saw the introduction of Anthony Martial, the first sighting of the Frenchman in the Premier League since January due to a hip injury.
After the hour mark, Newcastle deservedly got their breakthrough with Joe Willock heading in from 2-yards-out from a Allan Saint-Maximin cutback.
Once again David De Gea was their to United's rescue as he somehow got fingertips to a towering Joelinton header, tipping it onto the bar before United got it cleared.
United never looked likely to score throughout the tie, just susceptible to counter attacks every time Newcastle had the ball. Especially when ten Hag made the tactical decision to take off his centre half pairing.
The lack of height after United's substitutions was evident as Newcastle took advantage of United's lack of defence from a corner as Callum Wilson scored Newcastle's second goal & header in the game.
United will need to dust themselves off & quickly as they welcome Brentford on Wednesday. A huge improvement in quality & desire is needed or a similar result will follow.
Player Ratings
David De Gea - 7.5
Diogo Dalot - 5
Raphaël Varane - 6
Lisandro Martinez - 6
Luke Shaw - 5
Scott McTominay - 5.5
Marcel Sabitzer - 6
Antony - 5.5
Bruno Fernandes - 6
Wout Weghorst - 3
Marcus Rashford - 6
Substitutes: Nathan Bishop - N/A, Jack Butland - N/A, Victor Lindelöf - N/A, Harry Maguire - N/A, Tyrell Malacia - N/A, Fred - N/A, Facundo Pellistri - N/A, Jadon Sancho - 6, Anthony Martial - 6
Fan Reaction
Top 4 race wide open now. We really are struggling. Newcastle deserved to win this game. Erik said every game is a cup final now, well if this is how they are going to play then I worry. We’ve crumbled again in a hostile atmosphere
— Riz (@RizH0803) April 2, 2023
Game over got what we deserved today and shows that some of these players simply ain’t good enough
— Gav Burd (@Burdy1982) April 2, 2023
Dismal, disconnected, disunited.
— Wayne Barton (@WayneSBarton) April 2, 2023
Huge improvement needed in next week or so.
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