Manchester United’s fine run of Premier League form came to a disappointing end with a 1-0 loss at Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal was all that separated them on the scoreline, but the Magpies dominated the Red Devils from the off and probably should have won by more.
Man Utd’s preparations were disrupted by their flight up to Tyneside being cancelled on Saturday morning due to adverse weather conditions. Instead, Erik ten Hag and his charges made their way to Newcastle with a three-hour coach trip.
#mufc’s flight to Newcastle cancelled and they are having to travel by coachhttps://t.co/g9EKEA49ZV
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 2, 2023
Onana and Maguire in minus 10 weather having a bad neck after sitting on a bus for 4 hours. Newcastle 4-1
— Y (@tinscognito__) December 2, 2023
Oh no! How will they possibly cope? https://t.co/HqlCX34U9U
— Ali Mullaley 🐝 🦅💙 (@alimullaley) December 2, 2023
When team news was announced an hour before kick-off, there were two notable selections for Man Utd – Luke Shaw was starting at centre-back, while Anthony Martial came in for Rasmus Hojlund.
🚨🚨🎙️| Erik ten Hag on changes:
“It’s tactical, also rotation is part of it. We have to load-manage all the players but also for Luke [Shaw] as a centre-half he has to run less. As a full-back we expect something different but also doing something tactical over that side.” pic.twitter.com/ZQQf4Xmu3y
— centredevils. (@centredevils) December 2, 2023
— Ty Sports 🎙🇰🇳 (@TyroneMc__) December 2, 2023
Newcastle, predictably, controlled the early stages of the game, penning Man Utd in and creating several chances.
Closing in on 10 minutes at St James’ and Man United have barely had a touch. No chances yet but Newcastle keeping the ball really well.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) December 2, 2023
Newcastle fans ‘wooooing’ when ball runs to Onana.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) December 2, 2023
After cheaply conceding two free-kicks against Galatasaray on Saturday, no one would have blamed Andre Onana had Kieran Trippier’s effort gone in just before the break, with his set piece thumping the crossbar.
Trippier woodwork again. 😭
— Andy Martin (@fpl_tactician) December 2, 2023
39′ Trippier hits the bar… Bloody hell. #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 2, 2023
Man Utd mercifully got into half-time on level terms. Somehow.
HT: Newcastle (1.58) 0-0 (0.09) Man Utd
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) December 2, 2023
The other 9 players should collectively buy Maguire and Shaw the best dinner of their lives for what they’ve had to endure this half
— Aaron Moniz (@amonizfootball) December 2, 2023
Within ten minutes of the restart, Newcastle went ahead when Trippier’s cross was converted at the back-post by Gordon.
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CWM2ZtEQiO
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 2, 2023
Eddie Howe’s done an amazing job with Anthony Gordon
— Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) December 2, 2023
2023/2024 Air Gordon
— 🫡 Anthems For A Twenty-Three Year-Old Man (@DFakExGoalanke) December 2, 2023
Fingers were pointed at Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who allowed Gordon a free run into the six-yard box.
AWB asleep at the back post NO WAY
— renaissance, the film barbie (@CasaDupre) December 2, 2023
AWB’s back-post awareness is still so poor man. How has he not improved this after so many years of elite level experience…
— NS (@NSftbl) December 2, 2023
Martial and Marcus Rashford failed to impress throughout – both were hooked on the hour mark, with Hojlund and Antony taking to the pitch.
📸 – Martial & Rashford are taken off. Both produced zero shots in 60 minutes. pic.twitter.com/HMcUamBRAh
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) December 2, 2023
You cannot convince me that United would be any worse off if they stuck McTominay up front and took Martial off for a midfielder
— ⛷️ (@stokaljona) December 2, 2023
Newcastle were in control for much of the contest, but a late injury to Nick Pope saw Martin Dubravka thrown into the mix and nerves started to jangle a little.
United’s players would still miss the target, even with Pope down injured
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 2, 2023
Shortly after, Man Utd found the net through Antony – but his volley took a touch off Harry Maguire, who was standing in an offside position.
Maguire scores but is offside, sums it up #mufc
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) December 2, 2023
BRILLIANT DEFENDING BY HARRY MAGUIRE TO STOP ANTONY FROM SCORING! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vwgpyti9ao
— Dean (@DeanCFC_) December 2, 2023
Even after nine minutes of added time, that was as close as Man Utd came to snatching a point, with Newcastle holding on to secure a hard-earned win.
THE MAGPIES ARE FLYING AT ST. JAMES’ PARK! 😍🙌
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 2, 2023
Section of Man Utd fans want you to praise this style of play where they can’t stamp their authority on matches,just because they scrape some results. Similar bang average performance vs Everton. These fans are detached from the standards that made them a great team under Fergie.
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) December 2, 2023
Rome wasn’t built in a day, trust the process
Probably tired after a long bus journey, that’s not on the manager. pic.twitter.com/xdTCW0VhKf
— Frank 🧠🇳🇱 (@TenHagEra) December 2, 2023
READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
