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Manchester United fell to a 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle United on Monday night, extending their humiliating losing streak to four games on the trot in all competitions.
After losing three matches on the trot, manager Ruben Amorim would have no doubt been desperate to come away with a result, particularly as United closed out 2024 with their final match of the year in front of the Old Trafford crowd.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be, with poor man-marking by a stagnant defence resulting in not just one but both of the goals that the visitors put away.
Just over the three-minute mark, the visitors found the back of the net. In what was Newcastle’s first proper attack of the evening, Anthony Gordon thumped a cross to Aleksander Isak, who headed the ball into the back of the net. Amorim must have been wondering why both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez did not close the striker down.
For the opening 10 minutes, it was one-way traffic with the visitors in firm control. Isak was determined to double his tally with a shot from the edge of the box, only for Maguire to block his attempt.
17 minutes in, Isak was on the prowl yet again. Maguire did well to shut the striker down as he approached the box, limiting his sight of goal and forcing a soft shot that Andre Onana caught with ease.
In a repeat of the first goal, Newcastle got on a quick breakaway, with Gordon replicating his earlier cross, this time finding the head of Joelinton. 2-0 to Newcastle in front of an anxious Old Trafford crowd.
25 minutes in, Sandro Tonali unleashed a powerful long-range effort that was deflected out for a corner. Fortunately, Onana was able to punch the ball out of play, preventing yet another goal from a corner against a brittle United defence.
In the 30th minute, Isak whipped in a shot from the corner of the box that flew past Onana into the far corner of the net. Fortunately for United, the goal was ruled offside, saving the hosts from even more humiliation.
Barely a minute later, Tonali and Gordon enjoyed an exchange, cutting through United’s defence into the box. Tonali beat Onana, only for his shot to reverberate against the post.
32 minutes in, Amorim already made a substitution. Kobbie Mainoo came on to replace Joshua Zirkzee, who immediately headed down the tunnel. One could only imagine his frustration at being taken off so early on.
A minute later, Rasmus Hojlund got on the end of a quick counter, with his shot veering across the face of the goal. While off-target, the shot at least signalled United’s first proper attacking motion of the match so far.
After three minutes of stoppage time were announced, Mainoo intercepted the ball in the final third. He expertly threaded the ball to Casemiro, who fluffed his lines and blasted the ball wide in what should have been a straightforward scoring opportunity.
It was a dire half for United, who were absolutely dominated at home with very limited scoring prospects.
United appeared to be stepping things up at the start of the second half, with Casemiro drilling a decent cross into the box that the goalkeeper caught. The mood around the stadium appeared to be brighter, with fans hopeful that United could still turn the game around.
On the hour mark, the unlikeliest of players came close to pulling one back for United. Maguire burst forward, firing a header towards the goal that hit the upright. Suddenly, United sparked to life in the final third.
Martinez was shown a yellow card for a rough challenge on Isak past the halfway line. It appeared as if Martinez was determined to stop the striker before he could use his pace to expose United’s defence yet again.
In the 65th minute, Casemiro made way for Alejandro Garnacho while Leny Yoro replaced Martinez.
In the 74th minute, United won a corner. Eriksen’s cross was good, finding Yoro’s head. Unfortunately, his shot breezed just wide.
United looked threatening in the visitors’ box on the 80-minute mark, with Amad and Hojlund both attempting shots that were blocked while Eriksen skied the follow-up.
Antony came on for Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim seemingly looking to ramp up United’s attack in search of a late goal.
Three minutes of stoppage time were announced, but United were unable to make any further inroads during this time. 2-0 the score remained as United suffered yet another crushing defeat.
Amorim will need to do some serious reflection as he looks to improve United’s fortunes in 2025. January transfer market action appears to be vital.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Hojlund, Zirkzee, Eriksen, Amad, Casemiro, Dalot
Subs: Mainoo, Garnacho, Yoro, Antony
Featured Image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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