Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019/20

#4 Matthew Longstaff ventures into Magpie paradise

Matthew Longstaff (R) popped up with a superb winner

Over the summer, Manchester United were linked quite extensively with Sean Longstaff. However, that particular move failed to materialise as the Red Devils baulked at Newcastle’s asking price. Subsequently, all eyes were on the midfielder when the Old Trafford outfit came calling on Sunday. Yet, it was his brother, Matthew Longstaff that etched himself into Newcastle folklore.

The youngster produced a scintillating performance and drove the Magpies to great heights throughout the game. He was a bundle of energy and rarely allowed the visitors’ midfielders a moment of peace on the ball.

More tellingly though, he was able to conjure the offensive quality his side craved and at a moment when they required it most.

With the game meandering towards a dull stalemate, Matthew grabbed the bull by the horns and tilted the encounter in Newcastle’s favour. He made up plenty of ground to find himself on the edge of the box before unleashing a sizzling shot past David De Gea.

Apart from the goal, Matthew also carved open the United defence with a sumptuous clipped through-ball in the first half for Almiron. Though the Paraguayan fluffed his lines, there was no denying the quality of the pass.

Thus, despite making his first start for Newcastle, the midfielder had left an imprint on the game and quite spectacularly at that.

And, ironically, he lived his dream of making a difference while putting on the famous Black and White jersey at the expense of a side plying its trade at the Theatre of Dreams.