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Manchester United faced the Magpies at St. James' Park in their first game of 2019. Still unbeaten under new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Red Devils came into the fixture with 35 points. Newcastle United came into the game desperate for a win to keep clear off the relegation zone. Last season the Magpies had defeated the Manchester outfit by a solitary goal.
Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia was handed his first start in almost three months. Phil Jones was also handed a start due to Eric Bailly's suspension. Manchester United started the game very much on the front foot, keeping possession and looking to attack. Their defense was troubled on multiple occasions by Newcastle on the counter. Christian Atsu got two to three good opportunities to fire Newcastle in front but failed to do so.
The first goal came in the second half from the Red Devils. Romelu Lukaku scored one minute after his introduction on the pitch following a blunder by Newcastle keeper Dubravka. Marcus Rashford doubled the advantage in the 80th minute from Alexis Sanchez's assist.
The Red Devils stay at the 6th spot in the points table trailing Arsenal by three points. They will next face the Spurs away from home. The Magpies are at the 15th spot in the points table owing to their superior goal difference but they are still only two points clear, off the relegation zone.
Here are five talking points from the game.
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#5 Newcastle in deep waters following a game full of mistakes
The Magpies came into the game as second favorites due to the red-hot form of Manchester United. But as the game progressed Newcastle were able to exploit the spaces in the Manchester defense to good effect. Christian Atsu had good opportunities to give Newcastle the lead on more than one occasion. The Magpies just wasted all good opportunities to take the lead.
Even in the second half, Newcastle had their opportunities despite Manchester dominating possession. Goalkeeper Dubravka made a fatal error as he failed to hang on to Rashford's freekick only for Lukaku to finish the rebound. Looking back, the Magpies have to think that they were in with a chance to keep well clear from the relegation zone. The failure to make opportunities count hurt Newcastle and now they are still looming just above relegation zone, two points clear off the 18th spot.
#4 A clean sheet at last for David De Gea
Manchester United might have been a more stable side under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but still, one thing that doesn't hold up is their defense. The Red Devils had conceded at least once in every game after Solskjaer took charge. The last time Manchester had kept a clean sheet in EPL was against Crystal Palace in November. The last time they had a clean sheet in a winning effort in the Premier League dates back to September 2018.
Yesterday, David De Gea finally got a much deserved clean sheet. The poor finishing of the Newcastle players is a major reason for it but it doesn't change the fact. Despite being clear through multiple times, the defenders did just enough to deny the Magpies from scoring. This clean sheet would certainly bolster De Gea's confidence. Due to the shambolic defense, his stats this season don't speak for his abilities.
De Gea would be up against a much bigger challenge against Spurs and this clean sheet will give the momentum boost that the Spaniard needs for the big game.
#3 Manchester United should make a center-back their first priority
This is being said for quite a while now but the Manchester United management has failed to sign a world-class center-back for the club. The measly number of clean sheets despite a talented shot-stopper in their ranks is due to the lack of a defensive stalwart. Even against Newcastle, a team who don't attack with much poise, the defense struggled a lot.
Christian Atsu caused all sorts of problems for the Red Devils. Phil Jones was all over the place again and barely recovered to stop Rondon from scoring. Victor Lindelof is good but he still isn't the man who you could trust a defensive line with. The Red Devils should be looking to get a center-back ASAP. Toby Alderweireld was heavily linked with the club in the summer but didn't arrive. Now Kalidou Koulibaly is being linked with a move Manchester United.
The personnel won't arrive cheaply but Manchester have the funds to land a world-class center-back at Old Trafford. The missing piece in the puzzle seems to be the center-back. A good signing would make the team good to go under Solskjaer.
#2 Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez get the confidence boost they desperately needed
Both Lukaku and Sanchez started from the bench against the Magpies. In all honesty, both have not performed up to the standards they set at their former clubs. Alexis Sanchez lacked confidence each time he stepped on the pitch under Jose Mourinho. Romelu Lukaku has missed enough 1v1 opportunities to make a 10 to 12-minute video of those. The injury lay-off for both players did not help them either.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer introduced both Lukaku and Sanchez in the 63rd minute in a quest for the opening goal. One minute after being substituted, Lukaku fired Manchester in front with a poacher's goal. This time he had eyes on the ball, he was hungry for the goal and he reacted in a split second to get his goal. This is what a pure striker does.
Both Alexis and Lukaku were involved in the second goal as well. Lukaku showed a considerable improvement in his first touch. Alexis picked out Rashford with relative ease between the two defenders. He looked much more composed on the pitch, something which has gone missing since he left Arsenal.
The Red Devils need their experienced campaigners to be firing on all cylinders. It must be said that Solskjaer can trust on either to start against Spurs should the need arrive. Otherwise, even from the bench, these two will be vital.
#1 Marcus 'Marvelous' Rashford is no longer a second-choice striker
When this young kid made his debut under Louis Van Gaal, no one could guess that this would be their first choice center-forward in the coming years. Marcus Rashford is a delight with the ball at his feet. He is fearless when he takes on the defense, he is mentally switched on at all moments and he is a goal-scorer.
Rashford's quick runs, his hold-up play, and positioning were all apt against Newcastle. He ran all around the park in search of attacking spaces. His free-kick made the goal for Lukaku and he scored himself with composure from Alexis Sanchez's feed.
The English oozes class and seems much more liberated and confident under the new caretaker manager. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has done a wonderful job of utilizing his abilities. Rashford has scored thrice in the four games that Solskjaer has been in charge. The constant threat from the Englishman, not only to the oppositions but also to Lukaku's starting spot is a good sign for the Red Devils.
Marvelous might be an understatement of Rashford, but marvelous he is.
