(Football news) To say Newcastle have been poor (not literally by any means) in the Premier League this season would be an understatement. In the 18 games played before the clash against Manchester United yesterday, the Magpies had won 1, drawn 7 and lost 10 of their fixtures and were joint bottom in the relegation zone alongside Norwich City with only goal difference ensuring they were in the 19th place. With not much to lose, Eddie Howe’s team welcomed Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United at St. James’ Park and were unlucky to not win their second game of the season so far.
Newcastle made six changes from their 4-0 defeat against Manchester City and could only name eight substitutes instead of nine. Eddie Howe dropped Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron to the bench while Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Joe Willock and Isaac Hayden were out. Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff and Allan Saint-Maximin were included in the starting XI. Manchester United had not played a competitive fixture since December 11th and made two changes from their 1-0 win against Norwich City with Raphael Varane replacing Victor Lindelof while Mason Greenwood took Jadon Sancho’s place in the team.
The visitors looked uncomfortable right from kickoff with the centre back pairing of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire looking particularly vulnerable. Maguire’s error gave Ryan Fraser an early opportunity but it was Varane’s mistake of being dispossessed in a dangerous position that allowed Saint-Maximin to cut inside Maguire and poke the ball into the corner of the net in the 7th minute. Manchester United struggled to match Newcastle’s tempo and the hosts almost doubled their advantage as Joelinton’s shot left De Gea scrambling and Wilson did find the back of the net but was adjudged offside.
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The closest Rangnick’s team came to an equalizer in the first half was when Bruno Fernandes’ freekick found Mason Greenwood but the goal was ruled out as Cristiano Ronaldo was offside. Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani were brought on in the second half for Greenwood and Fred but it was Newcastle who could have doubled their lead through Saint-Maximin but was denied by David De Gea’s excellent save. It seemed like the same old story for Manchester United as Ronaldo’s frustrations grew, Rashford made absolutely no meaningful contribution while Jadon Sancho failed to create chances.
However, with just a one goal lead the game was still wide open and Edinson Cavani managed to score an equalizer in his second attempt after a cross by Diogo Dalot in the 71st minute. To make matters worse for Newcastle, Saint-Maximin and Wilson were forced to be substituted due to injury but the Magpies came close to scoring a winner in the 88th minute when Jacob Murphy hit the post and Almiron forced De Gea to make a brilliant save. Manchester United were lucky to get a point from this fixture and will need to drastically improve if they want to keep their ambitions alive for a Champions League spot for next season.
Speaking after the match Ralf Rangnick said "I did not like it at all. We were trying to get better at controlling games. Today we did not control the game, apart from very few moments, at all. It was all about energy, about physicality, and who wins the second balls. In all those areas we were not at our best today. In the end, we got a point, that is the good thing. But the overall performance has to get better."
