Newcastle press self destruct as Manchester United ease to victory
Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United
A day to forget for Newcastle United with the self destruct button very definitely pressed by more than one in black in white.
Newcastle had the dream start with a neat one-two between Matty Longstaff and Joelinton allowing the former to smash home to give the visitors the lead with over a quarter of the game gone.
But mistakes from Dubravka (probably), Schar and Sean Longstaff (shockingly) literally gifted Manchester United the win.
Two goals for Martial and one each for Rashford and Greenwood did the job, with Newcastle 3-1 down by half time and, but for a post and some iffy finishing following a raft of substitutions by the home side, is would have been a whole lot worse.
Steve Bruce will be absolutely furious with his side for gifting this one to their hosts after making such a good start. In a bizarre way, at least the blame was shared.
70 minutes of just AWFUL.
Steve Bruce had returned to the site of his greatest days as a player level on points with Manchester United. Still with a number of injuries to key players, and with the games coming thick and fast, he made 4 changes to the starting line up from the visit of Palace last time out.
In came Willems, both Longstaff brothers and Dwight Gayle. Undoubtedly the correct decision in resting a few, in particular Carroll, and something of a passionate selection of the Longstaffs after Matty’s winner in the home fixture.
STARTING XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar (Krafth, 87), Fernandez, Lejeune, Willems, Longstaff M, Longstaff S, Almiron (Yedlin, 63), Joelinton, Gayle (Atsu, 59)
Bruce was also trying to mastermind a first double over Manchester United since 1931.
The home side started quickly but would have little to show other than a few early corners for their efforts.
A huge chance for Newcastle on 15 minutes should have seen the visitors go ahead. Good work from Joelinton gave Gayle the opportunity to race clear but his effort was just over both DeGea’s glove and the bar.
But moments later the Magpies would not be denied.
The hero Matty Longstaff, again. The set up play followed tenacity from Almiron in midfield. He raced forward on the left and played a great ball across the the Newcastle youngster. Instead of shooting however, Longstaff dropped one over the top to Joelinton who controlled and returned the favour to allow Longstaff jnr to smash an effort into the bottom left corner.
7 minutes later Man U were level. And Dubravka will be kicking himself after a Martial effort, all be it well hit, crept in at his right hand and near post. Man United had worked the ball well down the left before a cross and touch back inside the box from Greenwood allowed the striker to lash his effort home.
On 26 minutes McTominay, who’d already been booked then dragged Almiron to the floor by the shirt. Somewhat inexplicably the Red Devils player didn’t even get a talking to from the official. No Friend of Newcastle’s was Kevin on this occasion.
And it wouldn’t take long for Man U to get ahead. Some terrible play at the back needed with Fabian Schar of all people gifting the ball to Mason Greenwood when under no real pressure and the youngster smashed his effort in and off the under side of the crossbar.
Self destruction from Newcastle.
It seemed the Magpies needed to get to the half time whistle just one goal down, but that wasn’t to happen either.
On 41 minutes it was 3-1. This time the Red Devils working the ball quickly across the pitch to Wan-Bissaka who’s delicious cross allowed Rashford to climb highest to head home. The Newcastle players are incensed that play had been allowed to develop after Matty Longstaff had clearly had a hand in the face in the buildup from McTominay.
3-1 down then at half time and a first quarter of the game, at which time Newcastle were wining 1-0, just frittered away.
McTominay, who was still lucky to be on the field in the first half, was sensibly withdrawn for the second. In his place, Pogba would get 45 minutes this time following his brief cameo against Watford a few days ago.
You’d think things couldn’t get any worse for Newcastle in terms of mistakes after the first half. Erm, naaa. Up step Sean Longstaff to play one of the through balls of the season. Unfortunately not to someone in black and white however, but to Martial. As bad a back-pass as you will ever see. Martial allowed to race clear and dink over Dubravka for 4-1. Oh dear.
On 60 minutes it could have been worse. Only the post denying Martial a first senior hat-trick for his current club.
Man U made a raft of changes after this with the game done. For Newcastle this needs to be a real wakeup call with another big away game to come in less than 2 days.
4-1 the final score. God damn awful!
As a side note, Fernandez can now rest a little easier with the limit for an automatic ban being increased from 5 as of today. Federico being Newcastle’s only player on 4.