Old Trafford is the scene of two conflicting realities. That of a drifting Manchester United who suffered a third straight home defeat (0-2) and slumped to 14th place in the Premier League. Newcastle is the other side of the coin and, after their fourth consecutive victory, they finished fifth in 2024, in the European positions.
Ruben Amorim, With 5 defeats in the 8 days since his arrival, he has failed in his attempt to revive United, whose first half was simply miserable, an absolute disaster, in the face of the sheer superiority of a Newcastle who played according to excitement from the opening whistle.
An Isak in a roll leaves the center back as evidence
Almost four minutes have passed Alexander Isaac He exposed United’s defense by heading in a cross from the left Lewis Hall.
The Swedish striker finished alone in the small space between the centre-backs Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez, captain in the absence of sanctioned Bruno Fernandes kicked out in the previous match, and Marcus Rashfordin exchange for despite the summons of Ruben Amorim after giving him four consecutive games.
Isak confirmed his rare moment of form at 0-1. He has 12 goals in the Premier League, of which 8 in the last 6 days marking each of them.
The entire United is in the water
United’s image at the opening half-time was pathetic, with no ability to play the ball, so it took them a little longer on their feet and cost Newcastle nothing to recover from.
Isak has 0-2 in the 17th minute when he ran away alone but wanted to enjoy himself and passed into the hands of Andre Onana his attempt to catch the ball. Newcastle played at will, unopposed, and with another cross from the left, this time from Anthony Gordon, Joelinton headed into the net by defeating Lisandro Martínez in the jump (19′). Amorim’s line of three center backs is leaking, as is the entire team.
Tonali made it 0-3 and Mainoo came on
All went out for the ‘magpies’ and they wanted more. Isak’s 0-3 score was annulled due to offside and sandro Tonali missed a very clear opportunity by hitting the post one meter from the goal (32′).
United’s midfield was empty and Amorim tried to avoid a total shipwreck Joshua Zirkzee is retiringwho didn’t work as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes in midfield, to enter Kobbie Mainoo.
Worthy in the second half and Maguire, in the post
The Portuguese coach achieved the goal as United finished the first half in their first two visits to the visiting area. Two clear chances they squandered Rasmus Höjlund and Casemiro. Both conceded alone but the Dane barely missed his cross shot and the Brazilian sent him wide with incomprehensible meaning.
After the break United showed their pride and at least played with dignity. It is impossible to do worse. He tried to get into the game by pushing at the beginning of the second half and Maguire had the best chance when going straight to the post a center of Diogo Dalot (59′).
It was United’s best moment as the minutes ticked by and, despite the changes, it fell victim to its limitations and weaknesses. A sad farewell to 2024 at Old Trafford. The ‘red devils’ have not finished a year in a worse position since 1989.
match lineup
24
3
20
6
5
4
18
14
9
16
11
1
2
20
8
5
33
39
7
14
23
10
Old Trafford
Martin Dubravka1
Kieran Trippier2
57′
Lewis Hall20
60′
64′
Sandro Tonali8
Fabian Schär5
79′
82′
Dan Burns33
64′
Bruno Guimaraes39
Joelinton7
18′
Alexander Isaac14
3′
Jacob Murphy23
84′
32′
Anthony Gordon10
84′
Replacements
Odysseas Vlachodimos19
Tino Livramento21
57′
64′
Lloyd Kelly25
Harvey Barnes11
84′
32′
Miguel Almiron24
Joe Willock28
84′
Sean Longstaff36
64′
Lewis Miley67
82′
William Osula18
coach
Ruben Filipe Marques Diogo Amorim
Eddie Howe
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
