The Magpies have put in an admirable first-half performance at Old Trafford and find themselves level at 1-1 at the break. A brilliant goal from Allan Saint-Maximin erased a strike from Marcus Rashford as the lads put in a perfect reaction to going down.
Newcastle were back in the 4-3-3 one again with Almiron in the middle, Joelinton out to the right, and Saint-Maximin on the left. Isaac Hayden was tucked behind Willock and Shelvey with a backline of Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, and Lewis.
The Magpies started the match much more aggressively than last week. From an early corner routine, Joelinton got a shot away, despite a poor first touch, that was deflected forcing David de Gea into an acrobatic save.
Twenty-five minutes in and Newcastle continued to unsettle the Red Devils holding them to a couple of tame efforts despite them having 70% of the possession. Newcastle mustered four attempts in the early stages though only Joelinton’s and a long-range effort from Almiron required any action from de Gea.
Manchester United grabbed the lead with a goal from Marcus Rashford in the 30th minute. The forward nutmegged Krafth and burst into the box. Emil recovered but was dinked again by Rashford and couldn’t stop him from launching a low shot that beat Karl Darlow at his near post. Very disappointing goal to concede.
Newcastle won a corner in the 34th minute where Almiron played it short to Shelvey who launched it over everybody in the box. Saint-Maximin gathered the ball, drifted to his left, and launched a blistering shot that De Gea brilliantly saved.
On the subsequent corner, Newcastle tried the routine again but this time it was Willock with a delivery that was poorly cleared to Saint-Maximin in the box. The Frenchman rocketed the ball into the roof of the net to get Newcastle back on level terms. This was an excellent reaction from the lads after conceding.
This was an encouraging first half from Newcastle bar the goal from Rashford which Krafth and Darlow could have done better on. The lads have been aggressive, pressed high, and held the Red Devils in check for the most part.
261 comments so far
manxpie
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #1Just seeing the joelinton shot again look at maguire on lascelles how was that not a penalty!?
Looks at him then just wipes him out!
DrGloom
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #2Looking forward to second half … Didn’t think I’d be saying that )
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #3AnyToon/Ihatetoon
Are the pair of you watching the game?
Adamn_92
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #4Better half than expected! Let’s keep the press going and high up the pitch, be a bit braver in committing forward to support almiron when he breaks and there’s no reason we leave after 90 minutes with at least a point.
Scythe For Bruce
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #5Trying to be positive but I doubt we’ll hold on for a point. Fernandes will score a worldly.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #6So much better desire and application which was missing against Chelsea
Maguire and Lindelof do not look comfortable I actually think a fully fit Carroll would cause them untold problems but he just hasn’t got the energy for a press which we need
Almiron though what a player finally getting to play his natural positions and you see what a player he is ASM apart from his goal needs to do more
DrGloom
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:01 PM
Comment #7Darlow should not have been beaten there and will be disappointed
DrGloom
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:01 PM
Comment #8Fraser on for Joe
Tackle from behind
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:02 PM
Comment #9Someone should have been over and helping Krafth for the Rashford goal.
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:02 PM
Comment #10Jake is a Legend
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Comment #11Joel has done some clever stuff, If he had another half a yard of speed, he’d be a decent player. Not a CF though to slow.
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Comment #12If Fraser is on for Joe, I’ll be looking out the window for the commet and expecting the takeover announced tonight.
Pottsclock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Comment #13Before this season I thought that ASM was our standout player. Absolutely not – it’s Almiron who would not be out of place at Man City
RToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Comment #14Joe hasnt been as bad as usual but why doesnt he make any runs into the box? When we have the ball on the other wing he should be getting in ahead of Shaw.
Krafth got skinned for goal (as usual).
Fraser on for Joe.
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:04 PM
Comment #15Almiron MOM so far
Romford mag
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:04 PM
Comment #16Come on !!!
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:04 PM
Comment #17We look better with Fraser on left than Asm.
IrishRob
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:04 PM
Comment #18For once ill say I’d rather have Joelinton back in the secondhalf. I’ve a feeling we might miss his height, hold up and physicality if he doesn’t come back on.
But if he doesn’t Fraser has to be the switch, this defense is weak to pacey players.
Not another deJong
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Comment #19Newcastle have had 27% of the possession in that first half but had more shots and shots on target than their hosts, won more corners and put more crosses in.
Rotonda heights
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Comment #20Great to see 433 and a high press again, similar to the win at everton.
We shouldn’t be waiting for darlow to make mistakes, just put dubs back in for his better communication and distribution.
Manquillo is a huge miss as Krafth is just awful.
Anderson for Shelvey.
Fraser for Joe
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Comment #21Joe still on
AnyToon in Indiana
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Comment #22I think Almiron is just happy to have someone there to coach a bit to his strengths again.
The Ledge
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Comment #23https://twitter.com/mrjakehumphrey/status/1363573972735041537?s=19
Fair play Mr Humphrey!
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Comment #24Shelvey needs to go off
AnyToon in Indiana
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Comment #25And his shot off the tee finds the water…..
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:09 PM
Comment #26Our set pieces have been really inventive for once is this Bonna putting in the work?
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:09 PM
Comment #27anywhere but center and thats a goal
Romford mag
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:10 PM
Comment #28Looking like we’re carrying on from the first half
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:11 PM
Comment #29Good to see we’re still giving it a go in the second half.
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:12 PM
Comment #30Fraser and Lonsftaff for Joe and Shelvey
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:13 PM
Comment #31It’s bad enough having Shelvey on without a injured Joe
Reilly
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:13 PM
Comment #32Ryan Fraser’s coming on for Joelinton
manxpie
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:13 PM
Comment #33Fraser coming on definitely need players getting in the box now!
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:13 PM
Comment #34Great to see Fraser comong on. Why the hell doesn’t Bruce stert with ASM, Fraser and Almiron combo!??
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:14 PM
Comment #35Holy crab a sub before 65 min
AnyToon in Indiana
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:14 PM
Comment #36The higher press, holding the line above our final third and not always playing the ball back takes so much of the constant pressure off our back line
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:14 PM
Comment #37Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah
manxpie
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:15 PM
Comment #38Bollicks terrible defending
chancel be a fine thing
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:15 PM
Comment #39FFS
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:15 PM
Comment #40FCKING MAN URE!!! Piss off!! I fking hate them! What the hell was James unmarked there FFS!!!