Manchester United were beaten by Newcastle United at St James Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. It was a deserved defeat for a poor all-round performance by Jose Mourinho’s side. Matt Ritchie scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute of the match, beating United’s defence and David De Gea.
Key Moments:
65′ Matt Ritchie opened the scoring in the game after beating United’s defence and David De Gea to break the deadlock, despite United scoring early in the second half but the goal being ruled out for a series of fouls in the box leading up to the goal. Newcastle United deserved their lead as United just do not look like the team they should be with the players they have.
Man of the Match: Jonjo Shelvey
United were undeserved of anything in this game. Shelvey was named Man of the Match by the Sky Sports panel and it was deserved. He played the game and led his side to victory, despite United rising from the ashes a few times to take charge of the game. United need to learn that they need to play to beat their opposition, not put a poor performance together then rue the defeat.
The players will now be readying their statements on the defeat for social media. We are sorry for the defeat and we will go out to win our next game. Enough. The summer needs to see a clear out of all the dead wood, and there is a lot of it still. Playing Ashley Young as the left-back over Luke Shaw is becoming a joke now.
Match Statistics:
Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United pic.twitter.com/ywQwWpJ2vS
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Manchester United
1 David De Gea
The Spanish number one made a good save early on to deny Newcastle from scoring. Had little to do for large spells of the game.Unablt to deny Ritchie from scoring the winner.
25 Antonio Valencia
Did well defensively for much of the game. Booked for a high foot late in the game. Did not have the attacking presence he usually has in games.
Chris Smalling
Petulant performance today.Could have conceded a penalty, booked for diving and just not good enough for the Premier League, not just United. Needs to be sold in the summer.
4 Phil Jones
Not the best performance by Jones, not the worst either. Did a lot of shouting and complaining, not enough getting stuck in and winning the game as a team.
18 Ashley Young
I'd rather see Luke Shaw play as the left-back. Young attacked and threatened and came close to scoring once.
31 Nemanja Matic
Solid in midfield. Played a sublime through ball. Did what he needed to do. Replaced by McTominay in the 77th minute.
6 Paul Pogba
Didn't seem 100% on the day after seemingly receiving a knock or injury in the warm up. Tried to play it off though.
Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean played his socks off and looked to orchestrate something for United. Failed to score after rounding the keeper.
14 Jesse Lingard
Inconsistent performance by Lingard. Used his pace to run at players and tried to help his team get a victory, but seemed out of the game, along with most of the team.
9 Anthony Martial
The Frenchman could have scored a few times today. Unlucky not to have at least one goal.
Romelu Lukaku
Had little service and dropped back to create himself, which didn't work. United seem to have lost all attacking threat despite the players they have. Worrying times.
Substitutes
8 Juan Mata
Replaced Lingard 66'. Helped United gain ground and attack, not that the attacking came of much. United were beaten before the double substitution.
16 Michael Carrick
Replaced Pogba 66'. Had a calm presence and Matic can now see some rest coming. United were beaten before he came on.
39 Scott McTominay
Replaced Matic 77'. Got involved in the game but could not help his side earn a point or a win. This will help aid his development.
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic (McTominay), Pogba (Carrick 66′); Sanchez, Lingard (Mata 66′), Martial; Lukaku
Substitutes Not Used: Romero; Lindelof, Rojo, Shaw
Bookings: Chris Smalling 64′, Antonio Valencia 88′
