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3 Positives and 3 Negatives from Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1

3 years ago
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Saturday afternoon ended Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1.

Another Premier League match and yet another collapse, conceding three in the final half hour, Newcastle have conceded more goals (12) than any other Premier League club in the opening four matches.

Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with 3 positives and 3 negatives following the game, this time it is Eddie James.

POSITIVES

Javier Manquillo

I know Jacob Murphy tends to be quite popular but I don’t get it, certainly not when playing wing-back or even worse, right-back.

Murphy is woeful when it comes to defending and when Krafth is the other option, Manquillo isn’t brilliant but against this competition should be the easiest choice on the team sheet arguably.

Was one of few at the back who emerged with much credit and scored a quality goal, worrying news after the game with Steve Bruce saying the Spaniard was one of three new injury concerns (Willock and Clark the other two).

The fans

On Ronaldo day, the fans were superb…those in the away corner I mean.

Brilliant support throughout the match, just a shame we don’t have a better team (owner, head coach, managing director…).

At least there was a goal to celebrate and just a shame those celebrations were limited to six minutes, before Ronaldo was gifted his and Man Utd’s second goal.

Whilst the home supporters welcomed Ronaldo back for a second time, the Newcastle fans making it clear that they’d welcome the news if the Mancs want Steve Bruce back as well at Old Trafford.

Miguel Almiron

This could also have been included in the negatives.

When Almiron first arrived, he was a joy to watch under Rafa Benitez. Allowed to roam and pick up the ball and run with it, the Paraguayan gave Newcastle a real attacking cutting edge. When I see him playing for Paraguay it is the same deal, or footage from back when he was playing for Atlanta United.

At times his play here showed similar spark, particularly on the goal which he created from nothing, turning and running from midway in his own half. Miguel Almiron did this all on his own though, it was despite Steve Bruce’s tactics / game plan, not because of it.

Great to see Almiron clearly has still got it BUT also a graphic reminder of just how negative the impact has been oon so many players due to having Bruce in charge.

NEGATIVES

Central Defenders

Changing two of his three central defenders looked a desperate move for Steve Bruce, simply hoping that random changes would magically stem the number of goals ending up in the back of Newcastle’s net.

Four more goals conceded and Newcastle’s centre-back options proving much of a muchness and badly in need of a proper manager to whip them into a well drilled and disciplined unit once again.

Has anybody got that Spanish bloke’s number…?

Isaac Hayden

As well as Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden was the other central defensive change, as Schar and Fernandez were dropped and left on the bench.

Quite incredible really.

The player seen by most fans as Newcastle’s best midfielder, certainly defensive midfielder. Played out of position and Steve Bruce making both midfield and central defence weaker.

Isaac Hayden was at fault (among with Freddie Woodman) for the first two goals and returning from injury, who knows what Hayden thought at playing out of position.

As for the likes of Schar and Fernandez, how will they feel at having been dropped and a midfielder played ahead of them?

Steve Bruce

His lack of game management nous was clearly on show yet again and as for the use of substitutes, waiting until 13 minutes to go and then not giving Gayle any chance for a fourth PL game in a row.

However, beyond what we watched on the pitch, the sheer embarrassment of having Bruce in charge was surely at a peak this weekend with his pre and post-match press conferences. It is humiliating having this clown associated in any way with Newcastle United.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1 – Saturday 11 September 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Manquillo 56

Man Utd:

Ronaldo 45+2, 62, Fernandes 80, Lingard 90+1

(In brackets the first half stats)

Possession was Man Utd 65% (70%) Newcastle 35% (30%)

Total shots were Man Utd 21 (15)  Newcastle 12 (6)

Shots on target were Man Utd 7 (3) Newcastle 3 (0)

Corners were Man Utd 7 (4) Newcastle 3 (1)

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Newcastle United:

Woodman, Manquillo (Murphy 77), Hayden, Lascelles, Clark (Lewis 84), Ritchie, Sean Longstaff, Almiron, Willock (Hendrick 85), Saint-Maximin, Joelinton

Unused Subs:

Darlow, Schar, Krafth, Fernandez, White, Gayle

Match Report: The Return of the Magnificent Seven(s) : Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1 – Read HERE

Newcastle United fans have been back 4 matches and this is what Steve Bruce is reduced to already – Read HERE

Steve Bruce reveals 3 new injury worries after Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1 – Read HERE

Newcastle United v Manchester United player ratings results from NUFC fans -Fair verdict – Read HERE

Alan Shearer rave review for Ronaldo as Ian Wright identifies Newcastle’s biggest problem – Read HERE

Steve Bruce refuses to answer holiday question Newcastle United fans are asking after latest hammering – Read HERE

Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1 – Ronaldo takes reds top as Bruce has NUFC in relegation zone – Read HERE

Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1 – Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to Saturday’s hammering – Read HERE

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