Newcastle 2-0 Manchester United: At no time did Manchester United have the prospect of a result at Newcastle United on Sunday. The Magpies were supreme and booked a deserved victory over manager Erik ten Hag’s team, who failed to score for the third Premier League game in a row (2-0).
The meeting at St. James’ Park was a reprise of the League Cup final at the end of February. At Wembley, Man United then ended the five-year prize drought (0-2). The star of that match, Marcus Rashford, recovered in time to start in the starting line-up with the visitors on Sunday. The club’s top scorer was initially unable to do much, because it was Newcastle that called the shots.
It was thanks to David de Gea that Man United made it to the break unscathed. The Spanish closing post, who is in talks with the club to extend his expiring contract, prevented Newcastle from opening the scoring early with an impressive double-save. First it was Alexander Isak who saw De Gea save, then Joe Willock also failed to strike.
Second half
On the other hand, Wout Weghorst had a chance, but the Dutchman hit the side net. Significantly, for the first time this season, United did not score a shot between the posts before half-time. Ten Hag hoped to turn the tide by bringing in the recovered Anthony Martial (for the disappointing Weghorst) and Jadon Sancho, but the goal fell on the other side after more than an hour.
Bruno Guimarães passed the ball to the at times elusive Allan Saint-Maximin, who offered Willock an opportunity not to be missed. The 23-year-old midfielder headed in from less than a meter away (1-0).
Even after the opening goal, Newcastle remained the dominant team. Man United were lucky that the aluminum stood in the way of The Magpies’ second goal. Substitute Joelinton hit the crossbar, Fabian Schär hit the post in the rebound. With Facundo Pellistri for Lisandro Martínez, Ten Hag played his last trump card in the final phase, but Newcastle also had an answer to that. Callum Wilson made the decision three minutes before the end (2-0).
The defeat at St. James’ Park is an expensive one for Man United, which sees Newcastle advance to third place. Sven Botman’s team remains ahead of the new number four on goal difference. Man United failed to win for the third league game in a row. But still virtually holds a ticket for the Champions League. Tottenham Hotspur, who played one game more, is only one point behind.
