'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United suffered yet another defeat on the road, this time against Newcastle United on Sunday, leaving them without a win away from home since March. The Red Devils were far from their best against the Magpies and failed to dominate the game against Steve Bruce's men, currently sitting in the relegation zone.
A brilliant strike from debutant Matthew Longstaff in the second half turned out to be the difference between the two sides in the end. The defeat has left Manchester United just two points clear of the relegation zone. The Red Devils will face high-flying Liverpool just after the international break.
The pressure is now mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has won just five out of his 20 games since being appointment as the permanent manager. As for Newcastle United, the win against Manchester United has lifted them up to 16th place and they find themselves one point clear of the relegation zone.
While some players produced solid performances for their respective sides, others disappointed. Here are the hits and flops from the game.
Also read: Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United: 3 Reasons why the Red Devils lost | Premier League 2019/20
#5 Hit: Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe's performance was the only positive Manchester United fans could take from the game against Newcastle United. Tuanzebe produced a solid show against Arsenal playing as a left-back and was rewarded with another start by Solskjaer, this time as a centre-back alongside Harry Maguire.
The 22-year-old repaid his manager's faith by producing another commendable performance against the Magpies. The Englishman dealt with the threat of Joelinton well and kept the Brazilian forward's threat under wraps.
Apart from losing a couple of aerial duels, he did nothing wrong and was excellent throughout the game. An injury to Diogo Dalot in the second half forced Tuanzebe to shift to the right-back position and he looked sharp playing there as well.
#4 Flop: Fred
Many Manchester United fans have been calling out Solskjaer for not playing Fred too often. However, his performance against Newcastle United showed exactly why the Norwegian doesn't trust the midfielder.
The Brazilian got himself into the book inside the opening three minutes of the game, which restricted him from making any sort of meaty challenges for the remainder of the game. Moreover, the 26-year-old looked very static in the possession and resorted to simple sideways passes for most of the game.
Fred is failing to live up to his hefty price-tag and another below-par performance against the Magpies is not doing his credibility any favours.
#3 Hit- Jetro Willems:
Jetro Willems was easily Newcastle United's best player on the pitch. The 25-year-old produced a solid defensive display against the Red Devils and kept Andreas Pereira at bay for most of the first half. In the second half, he was pit against Daniel James, who is known to cause problems with his incredible pace.
However, the full-back once again stood up to the task and gave the Welsh winger no opportunity to influence the game.
Aside from his excellent defensive performance, Williems massively contributed to the attacks, providing the all-important assist for Matthew Longstaff's goal in the second half.
#2 Flop: Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has been under immense scrutiny in recent weeks and his performance against Newcastle United is not going to help his cause. The England international managed just one touch in the opposition box in the 90 minutes he was on the pitch.
In the first half, the young forward managed just seven touches of the ball, fewer than goalkeeper David de Gea. Moreover, his movement in the box was shocking and it looked as if he was scared of the ball, hiding behind the opposition defenders as soon as crossed were lofted into the box. The 21-year-old is low on confidence and it showed in the against the Magpies.
#1 Hit: Matthew Longstaff
Sean Longstaff was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer. However, it was his younger brother who stole the limelight against the Red Devils on Sunday.
Matthew Longstaff made a dream start to his Newcastle United career, scoring a delightfu goal on his debut against Manchester United to earn his side all three points. The 19-year-old was excellent throughout the game and could have scored another, only to be denied by the crossbar in the first half.
The midfielder playing alongside his elder brother Sean Longstaff dominated the middle of the park and his energy and tenacity were one of the reasons why the Magpies managed to beat the Red Devils.
