Manchester United suffered their sixth defeat of the Premier League season after going down 1-0 to Newcastle United on Saturday night.
Premier League
Result: Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United
Date: 02 December 2023
Venue: St Jame's Park
Man United made four changes following their draw against Galatasaray in a six-goal thriller in the UEFA Champions League, as Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Diogo Dalot were all recalled.
Man United on the back foot from the first whistle, struggling to get out of their own half and Alexander Isak had two big chances for Newcastle in the box in quick succession but had his shot blocked by a crowd of the Red Devils defence.
The Magpies continued to boss the game, as the visitors were constantly back-pedalling but they were not finding spaces in the dangerous areas, with Man United defending in numbers.
Eddie Howe's charges came very close to breaking the deadlock from a set-piece six minutes before the interval after Kieran Trippier's curling free-kick came off the crossbar, with goalkeeper Andre Onana well beaten and the sides went to the break goalless.
Newcastle came back with more energy and increased intensity from the break and Anthony Gordon eventually broke the deadlock ten minutes in with a tap-in at the back post after a cross by Trippier.
In response, Erik ten Hag made a double attacking change on the hour-mark, as Rasmus Hojlund replaced Martial and Antony came on for Rashford.
Man United could press better high up the field with fresh legs after that and they finally came out of their own half, with prolonged spells of possession searching for the equaliser.
The Red Devils thought they were level in the dying minutes after Antony found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Ten Hag's men continued to pressurize the Magpies in the tail end but their hosts were disciplined at the back and held their nerve to bag maximum points that moved them up to within one point of Man United in seventh spot on the table.
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