Manchester United 0-1 Newcastle United : Five talking points

Even with the return of Van Persie, United look toothless up front

The return of Van Persie also didn’t help

22 goals from 15 games is hardly the goal scoring run that you would associate with Champions. And with Wayne Rooney, their most potent attacker in the past few weeks suspended, things weren’t looking too bright for Moyes, after the game against Everton. Thankfully for the Scot, Van Persie was fit enough to start against Newcastle, but, even he couldn’t spark any life into another toothless attacking display from a United side, lacking a creative spark.

For the past couple of seasons, thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, United have managed to paper over the cracks. But, after outscoring the opposition for the most part of the past two seasons, they are having a difficult time finding the back of the net and are sorely in need of someone from central midfield to take control of the game. But, unfortunately for the forwards, there is nobody capable of doing that role right now and being starved of service, they haven’t been able to do too much.

Moyes needs to settle on his back four fast

Moyes needs to settle on his back four fast

For far too often this season, United’s back four has looked far from settled thanks to injuries to key players. Most of the goals they have conceded have been due to the fact that the same side has rarely played together. But, ever since the return of Vidic, there seems to be some stability back in the side once again. And against the Magpies, it was the Serbian who stole the show and was without doubt, United’s best performer on the day, which is the damning indictment given the amount of attackers on display.

The Serbian was his usual no-nonsense self as he took the game by the scruff of the neck and held the backline together for almost the entire game, without conceding any real opportunities. The Serbian center half, made a massive 12 clearances, double the amount made by anybody else on the park and didn’t give Remy, who was in sublime form an inch. Moyes would do well to settle on his back four quickly and in Vidic, he has the perfect man to lead the charge.

Pardew gets his tactics spot on

Yohan Cabaye

After defeat on Wednesday against Swansea brought an end to their four-game winning streak, Pardew was certain that his side lacked control in midfield. So, against United, he dropped Ameobi and put Vurnon Anita in central midfield alongside Tiote and Cabaye, to strengthen the middle of the park and give them the edge over United’s duo. He was counting on his defense to come through and nick a goal on the break.

His tactics came through, as Newcastle’s defense were more than a match for a United attack that lacked any impetus. Both of Newcastle’s center backs were all over anything that came their way and the introduction of Ben Arfa certainly added some much needed pace to their attack. But, ultimately, it was Sissoko’s industry and Cabaye’s positioning that got them the goal and it was fitting that the goal came down the right, where Newcastle looked most threatening.

Has Phil Jones finally found his place at United?

Has Phil Jones finally found his place at United?

Although United ended up losing the game, if there was one player, who made the most of his opportunity, it was the Englishman Phil Jones. Not since Roy Keane’s departure have United had somebody crunching into tackles and driving the team forward from central midfield. And Jones showed that he might be able to do just that as he put in a performance that might just give David Moyes a glimmer of hope.

Starting alongside Cleverley, the Englishman exemplified the all-action style that Keane was known for. He got stuck into tackles, closed the Newcastle players quickly and even got forward once or twice. Apart from Vidic, he was arguably United’s best player on the park. He is exactly the player they have been crying out for. But, unfortunately for Moyes, what makes up for in industry, he lacks in creativity and that means that he requires a more creative presence alongside him, and Cleverley wasn’t that.

Old Trafford isn’t a fortress any longer

Old Trafford isn’t a fortress any longer

This is looking like the year in which long barren runs at Old Trafford are finally coming to an end. West Brom started it by beating Manchester United for the first time in 35 years and on Wednesday, it was Everton who won away at United, for the first time, since 1992. Newcastle came into the game with a barren run stretching back 41 years and it looked this might just be the time, to set the record straight. They managed to do just that as United lost back-to-back League games at Old Trafford for the first time since 2002.

Whilst it is true that records are meant to be broken, the underlying fact is that not many teams come to Old Trafford nowadays hoping for a draw. Most teams think that this United side, can be got at and it looks as though, the aura surrounding Old Trafford is finally fading. And United haven’t really covered themselves in glory with some of their attacking play having scored just eight goals in their eight home games and failed to score in their last two games. These are tough times at Old Trafford.