Manchester United suffered their sixth defeat of the Premier League season against Newcastle United today.
Erik ten Hag made some surprising choices in his starting XI. Three full-backs were in the back four, including Luke Shaw partnering Harry Maguire at the back.
Rashford replaced Antony on the right flank despite the Brazilian producing his best performance of the season in the last game.
The Red Devils were fortunate to go in level at half-time.
The Magpies piled more pressure on the visitors after the break, with Anthony Gordon netting the match-winner.
Man United never looked like they could score and were dominated by the hosts.
Player Ratings
Andre Onana – 4/10
Onana did not make any high-profile errors but his confidence looks shot. He was completely beaten for Kieran Trippier’s free-kick and remained rooted to his line during corners.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4/10
The 26-year-old almost provided an assist to Alexander Isak early in the game. He was guilty of falling asleep for Gordon’s strike.
Harry Maguire – 6/10
Maguire made some vital blocks, including a crucial one to deny Isak a goal. His passing was wayward, but he was the best United player on the pitch.
Luke Shaw – 5/10
Shaw’s poor pass from the back led to Newcastle’s opener. Just like Maguire, he made a couple of key blocks.
Diogo Dalot – 3/10
The Portugal international started as a left-back. He was caught out of his position for the goal and failed to provide any support going forward.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5/10
It was an evening where he was pegged back to defend the box. He was often forced to cover for the full-backs who Newcastle’s wingers easily opened up.
Scott McTominay – 3/10
McTominay was a passenger for the whole game. He was always second-best in his battle with Joelinton in the midfield.
Bruno Fernandes – 5/10
Fernandes created a big chance for Alejandro Garnacho. With the Red Devils forced to defend all evening, the Portuguese midfielder failed to show his ability with the ball.
His leadership would be questioned as he failed to pull his team up in a hostile environment.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4/10
The Argentine had an early chance to put Man United ahead but produced only a tame shot.
Anthony Martial – 2/10
The Frenchman surprisingly started ahead of Hojlund and failed to vindicate Ten Hag’s call. Newcastle’s defenders easily ran past him as he failed to show any commitment.
Martial was so awful that the manager must be blamed for not taking him off at the break.
Marcus Rashford – 1/10
It was one of his worst performances of the season. He failed to track back Tino Livramento several times, exposing Wan-Bissaka in a two-on-one situation. When he did make an effort to follow Livramento, the full-back schooled him.
Substitutes
Rasmus Hojlund – 4/10
He was better than Martial but had little opportunity to show his qualities as Man United struggled to keep hold of the ball.
Antony – 5/10
The Brazilian added more balance to the right flank when he came on for Rashford.
Sofyan Amrabat – 5/10
He did well one-on-one against Isak late in the game.
