After 16 days off, Manchester United couldn’t get beyond a lucky 1-1 draw at second-bottom Newcastle United. Cristiano Ronaldo was lucky with a yellow card.
United interim coach Ralf Rangnick made just two changes after the 16-day Corona break compared to the 1-0 loss at Norwich, with Greenwood starting for Sancho (bench) and Varane replacing Lindelöf (COVID-19). The Frenchman had not featured since 30 October due to injury. On the other side, Eddie Howe brought on three ex-Bundesliga players: Schär (Hoffenheim), Saint-Maximin (Hannover) and Joelinton (Hoffenheim) started for the Magpies.
One of the three ran hot from the start and gave his colours an early lead: after a mistake by Varane, Longstaff drove the ball forward and played across to Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman flicked the ball into the net from 15 metres (7th). The home side, who had only won once this season and lost their last three games, remained solid after taking the lead, but ManUnited were also an opponent with few attacking ideas.
Second Newcastle goal doesn’t count
While the first leg had been dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo, who promptly scored a brace on his comeback to the Red Devils on matchday four, he and his team-mates didn’t know what to do with the ball on Monday night and instead almost conceded 2-0: an offside by Wilson prevented the second goal from being conceded (39). Two minutes later, the visitors had their only chance of the first half: Fernandes cheekily chipped a free kick over the wall, but Greenwood failed to beat Dubravka (41).
Saint-Maximin continued to play well in the second half, making the United defence look dizzy from time to time. In the 48th minute the Frenchman was a bit surprised in front of the goal and couldn’t put any pressure on the ball – but de Gea made a great save. Sancho, who had come on as a substitute at the break, made some steam on the right side, but it was still only dangerous in front of the United box. Fraser put de Gea to the test (63rd)
Cavani equalises and saves a lucky point
Few minutes earlier, Ronaldo had only seen yellow for a frustration foul on Fraser – lucky for the Portuguese, who had gone fiercely into the duel (57.). A racy game developed with many yellow cards and more chances for the Magpies: This time Murphy’s shot fizzed past everyone and just missed the post (68th).
The fact that it was still 1-1 in the end was solely due to Cavani, who also came on as a substitute at the break, who poked the follow-up shot over the line after a cross from Dalot (71). But the home side remained active until the end and had two great opportunities shortly before the end: First, Murphy curled the ball against the post, and seconds later de Gea made a great save to keep Almiron’s shot out of the corner (87th).
The draw was ultimately a very fortunate one for United, who have suffered their first league defeat under Rangnick. For both teams it’s already on Thursday: Newcastle plays at Everton (20.30), the Red Devils receive Burnley (21.15).
