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
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:23 PM
Comment #81JR
He has his favourites, as do all managers
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:24 PM
Comment #82Lewis again allowing James to have acres of space. His positional sense is terrible.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:25 PM
Comment #83Should bring Shelvey off and put Carroll on we need a focal point up top
ilovetoon8788
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:25 PM
Comment #84Unlike almiron, ASM has no idea when to release the ball and when to keep it.
Makes the poorest decision most of the time.
SiOliver
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:25 PM
Comment #85Let’s just keep leaving James unmarked eh – great plan he’ll never score again will he.
jimiley
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:26 PM
Comment #86Carroll and Joe are on 80K a week each.
Two goals between them after 24 games.
WTF!!!!
It could only happen here.
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:27 PM
Comment #87It’s either Hendrick or Longstaff for Shelvey, decisions decisions
Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:27 PM
Comment #88Joel is among our best 5 attackers, along with Wilson, St Max, Almiron and Fraser. He can’t be left isolated, but you can say that about pretty much any player bar a few. We play decent as a unit when he is part of a front 3 and press earlier. Should start again next week.
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:28 PM
Comment #89Asm does better on right, Fraser does better on left.
Which fool has them on opposite wings
Munster Mag
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:28 PM
Comment #90Come on lads we still have a chance here
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:28 PM
Comment #91Ohh Lewis…
lochinvar
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:28 PM
Comment #92Pundits always seem to go on about attacking down the flanks,
In military terms that would suggest its a good place to park your tanks and block that route. Manquillo and Dummett would do that better than Kraft and Lewis who the opposition seem to target.
Think now you will Dubs back next game.
coming home
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:28 PM
Comment #93Every time Maxi gets the ball they foul him
That needs sorting by the fcuking ref
jimiley
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:29 PM
Comment #94We need to exploit Shelveys pace, mobility and nose for goal. Not forgetting his tackling ability. If all else fails we can rely on his dangerous corners.
Shelvey and Hendrick. What a midfield dynamic duo. With that sort of midfield it is mystifying why we are in relegation trouble.
manxpie
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:30 PM
Comment #95Lewis is having to mark 2 players within about 30 yards of each other its someone else’s job to help him out
I.e ASM!
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:31 PM
Comment #96Shelvey must make a great cup of tea or is full of jokes, it’s the only reason I can think why Bruce starts him every game.
Pottsclock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:31 PM
Comment #97It’s the towering power headers of Shelvey that we’d miss
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:31 PM
Comment #98Penalty! Ffs!!
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:31 PM
Comment #99Gayle or Carrol for shelvey and go 4231
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #100We never win at Old Ttrafford ffs!
Piss off Man Ure!
coming home
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #101Pure dive
JP...from The Rock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #102Fernandes 1 – 0 Newcastle
Romford mag
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #103FFS
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #104No way thats a penalty
sing in the corner
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #105Pillock
chancel be a fine thing
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #106Good old VAR, never touched his toe.
Reilly
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #1073-1
manxpie
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #108Thats soft as hell and we want to stamp out diving? silly challenge but he dived
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #109Dive
dougie
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #110After a decent first half we’ve gone back to our usual selves,nowhere near the same desire to press.Its men against boys,it’s not the players fault,they’re just not good enough.Its a championship squad simple as that.
FloridaToon
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #111Where is VAR???
jimiley
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #112Thats 11 defeats in 15 games but two wins,
Form is temporary but class is permanent
Pottsclock
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #113Interesting how the commentators describe all the elements of a dive but say everything but “it’s a dive”
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #114Game over! 🙁
Soft penalty.
Optimistic prime
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #115VAR doesn’t exist at old Trafford
Munster Mag
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #116Tired challenge by willock
Toon67
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #11710/10 for the dive.
SiOliver
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #118Stopped watching – absolutely pointless
lochinvar
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #119Is slipping a penalty decision ?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 21, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Comment #120We have to sack Bruce after tonight its just acceptable to keep him in charge