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With many of his first team rested ahead of the game at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, a largely second string XI treated the fans to one of the best away displays of the current campaign, with Juan Mata scoring twice and one apiece for Javier Hernndez Adnan Januzaj. Most Newcastle players didn't look up for the game and Pardew must be waiting for this season to end. Here are the five major talking points from the game.
#1 United continue their impressive away form even without key players
There have been plenty of criticism that has come Moyes’ way, so far this season. Some deserved, others not so much. The game against Newcastle meant that it is now 48 straight games since he named an unchanged lineup. Whilst some of it is down to him just finding out his preferred system, most of it is due to the injuries he has had to suffer this season.
In the entire squad, David De Gea is the only player to have not suffered an injury this season. But, even with that, and having made wholesale changes ahead of Wednesday night’s trip to Munich, United still ran out comfortable winners against a Newcastle side severely lacking in ambition to make it four away wins on the bounce. Whilst his side have been poor at Old Trafford, they have the best away record in the League and only Liverpool have scored more than Moyes’ men. Should they continue this imperious away form in Munich, things are sure to get a lot better for Moyes.
#2 Little Pea comes big for Moyes
Not many can do what Chicharito is doing right now. After two successful seasons, the Mexican has been restricted to a handful of League starts and left to play in the Capital One Cup, thanks to the presence of Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney. But, with both of them injured, the Mexican forward started and gave Moyes enough reasons to be optimistic about the trip to Munich.
Making only his fifth League start of the season, the 25-year-old scored his 42nd goal in 83 starts. A return that is enough to warrant a starting berth at most teams, but not at United. Even still, the Mexican has gone about his job, without too much fuss. That, coupled with his wonderful performance, that saw him hit the woodwork, score and get an assist to his name, means that Moyes has at least one fit and firing striker to take to Munich.
#3 Mata starting to finally find his feet at United
Even a Ferrari, takes some time to get its engine going, for the first time. In his opening few games, Mata exhibited signs of just that. But, after being left to play in his preferred No.10 role over the past few weeks, Mata has been showing signs of getting better. One of the reasons, cited by David Moyes for signing Juan Mata for a club record fee was his ability, to not just create goals, but score them as well.
After opening his account against Aston Villa last week, Mata was at it again, this time scoring his first Premier League brace since October 2012, to help his side to a comfortable victory over the Magpies. Whilst his first, a delightfully curled free kick, was all about technique, his second, showed his deft touch as he calmly slotted past the goalkeeper. With three goals and an assist in his last two games, it looks like this Ferrari has finally got going.
#4 The curious case of Uniteds injuries
As far as injuries are concerned, it looks as though, Moyes can’t really catch a break this season. At several parts of this season, more than half a dozen first-team players have been on the treatment table, which has started to look busier than the touchline. Given all of that, it was no surprise to see Moyes rest De Gea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Carrick and Welbeck, for fear of them suffering a knock ahead of a crunch Champions League clash with Bayern.
Even, with such precautions being taken, United suffered yet another blow, as Ashley Young went off with an injured thumb, with less than quarter of a game gone. And United were lucky that Patrice Evra was able to hold on until the second half, when he was replaced by Buttner as he too was battling with bruises suffered in the game. Part of the reason why United have had such a torrid time this season, has been their injury list, which has ensured that Moyes has been unable to put out a settled lineup, week-in and week-out. And whether he signs big-name signings or not, it is time Moyes looks into why so many injuries strike his squad.
#5 It is Remy, not Cabaye that the Magpies miss more
The Magpies have failed to score in 11 of their last 15 League games, and have collected just 13 points in the process. Although Pardew has been blaming the loss of Cabaye, which has, left the team “functional”, it is the absence of another Frenchman that is costing Newcastle dear. Ever since the game away to Wigan in March last season, Newcastle have failed to score in all but 3 of the games where Remy has not been involved.
Of the three, two were last minute strikes by Cisse and the other was against the Baggies, but all of them were last year. Whilst the departure of Cabaye has big been a big blow, they still have the likes of Ben Arfa and Marveaux to call upon to create chances. But, the lack of a quality forward line, has meant that this season is ending akin to bad horror movie. Pardew has to change it fast, for he cannot take too many more tonkings and still expect to keep his job.
