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

Newcastle United scraped past Manchester United 1-0 in a cagey affair on Tyneside. The victory pulled the Magpies away from the relegation zone and into 16th spot on the table.

The hosts started the game the brighter of the two and immediately imposed themselves on proceedings. However, clear-cut chances were at a premium during the opening half as both teams sparred without ever landing a blow.

The game picked up slightly after the break as United looked to barge through the Newcastle defensive door. However, they were caught out by the proverbial sucker punch when Matthew Longstaff lashed a 25-yard bullet into the back of the net.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser but eventually, came up short. Courtesy the defeat, the Red Devils remained in the bottom half of the table, with only 9 points from 8 games.

Here is a look at the talking points from the game.

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#5 Manchester United and Newcastle United produce an exceptionally drab first half

Newcastle United and Manchester United produced a drab first half

Manchester United and Newcastle United came into the game after having produced an extraordinary amount of dreary displays this term. And, unfortunately for the neutral, that trend didn’t change on Sunday.

While the Red Devils were quite sloppy in possession, the hosts failed to scythe through the visitors’ rear-guard, despite finding themselves in promising positions.

Moreover, the away side again resorted to their infamous tendency of passing passively rather than showcasing intent on the ball, thereby making Newcastle’s job of defending much easier. To put things into perspective, United had all of two touches in the opposition penalty box throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, the clearest chances of the half came via the set-piece avenue.

Towards the end of the period, Fred’s corner found Harry Maguire unmarked in the six-yard box. However, the Englishman contrived to put his header wide, even when it seemed easier to make the net ripple.

As for the Magpies, Miguel Almiron missed a gilt-edged opportunity when he took a tad too long to pull the trigger, in the process, allowing the retreating Maguire to avert the danger.

Additionally, both sides looked devoid of invention and were content to hoof the ball forward whenever in their own half, rather than playing through the opposition.

And, though there were a couple of moments of offensive quality, that was largely the anomaly.

Over the course of the season, Manchester United and Newcastle have managed to better the other in terms of sluggish play. And, when that trait came to the fore on Sunday, the encounter certainly degraded, in terms of a spectacle.

#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.

#3 Allan Saint-Maximin and Fabian Schar shine under a gloomy skyline

Schar (L) was immense at the back for Newcastle

Steve Bruce decided to field Allan Saint-Maximin alongside Joelinton as the Magpies looked to pile further misery on the Red Devils. And, while the latter didn’t particularly cover himself in glory, the former strengthened his credentials magnificently.

The Frenchman tied the United defenders in knots multiple times and was the breath of fresh air Newcastle had been crying out for. He showcased bravery and courage on the ball to dribble past players and that enabled the hosts to get higher up the pitch, especially when the Red Devils enjoyed long spells of possession.

Moreover, the forward played a massive role in the winner as it was his purposeful run that created space for Jetro Willems on the left flank before the full-back found Matthew Longstaff.

As for Schar, the defender was simply remarkable as he was on hand to thwart everything the Red Devils threw at him. The centre-back was a colossus at the back and barely allowed United to make in-roads down the visitors’ left side.

And, though the away side weren’t at their creative best, the Swiss still had work to do in order to allow Steve Bruce to notch his first managerial victory over Manchester United.

During the nascent stage of the season, Newcastle have come under a lot of criticism for their archaic style of play and lack of defensive conviction.

However, on Sunday, they quelled those fears with a performance that’ll live long in the memory on Tyneside.

#2 Manchester United fire another blank

The Red Devils turned in another woeful attacking display

Manchester United arrived at St. James’ Park having turned in a lacklustre performance against AZ Alkmaar, where they drew 0-0. In the aftermath of that game, the club was severely criticised for its pedestrian approach, with many even labelling that United had undertaken a downward trajectory since the start of the term.

And, unfortunately for them, that fire was only stoked further on Sunday with an equally, if not more, diabolical display at Newcastle.

The Red Devils looked bereft of ideas throughout the game and rarely ever posed an unexpected question to the hosts. The visitors passed the ball around meaninglessly and never looked capable of breaching a defence that had shipped five against Leicester a week ago.

Moreover, the likes of Andreas Pereira and Marcus Rashford were completely anonymous as the match bypassed them with ease.

Hence, it wasn’t much of a surprise that the Red Devils’ best chances to make the net bulge came from set-pieces when Maguire threw himself about in the Newcastle box.

Over the years, United have developed quite a reputation of scoring freely and swatting aside everything kept in its path.

Yet, this current side is doing everything it can to make people forget those days and rather remember the mess they are currently.

#1 Ole’s at the wheel, but for how long?

How long will Ole be at the wheel?

Back in March, Manchester United were in dreamland. The Red Devils had just overturned an improbable 3-1 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain and looked en route to unlocking their potential under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Consequently, the Norwegian, who was previously appointed as a caretaker manager, was handed the reins permanently. After all, United felt that one of their own would help them traverse the upward curve the club demanded.

Yet, it has gone rather pear-shaped for the Old Trafford outfit since Solskjaer was installed as the permanent manager.

The Red Devils have won only 5 of their last 23 games, averaging a victory every five matches. Moreover, they’ve only scored 7 goals in their last 10 matches, since they stuck 4 past Chelsea on the opening day. Also, they’ve failed to win any away game since that evening in Paris. In addition, they are just 2 points off the relegation zone after 8 games.

More worryingly though, the early optimism has been sucked away from Old Trafford and things don’t look drastically different to what unfolded during Jose Mourinho’s infamous days at the club.

The side seems to lack a direction and there seems to be no decisiveness in their play, an aspect magnified by their constant chopping and changing of personnel.

And, though injuries could become a possible excuse, even Solskjaer wouldn’t be ‘pleased’ with what his team has produced, over the past few weeks.

Back in March, the Old Trafford faithful rejoiced at the Norwegian’s arrival, singing songs of ‘Ole’s at the wheel’. While he still is in charge, one can’t help but wonder if the former United forward is indeed the right man to steer the club away from impending doom.

And, if the answer to that question is in the negative, maybe the wheels might just have come off for Solskjaer.