Manchester United made a significant improvement on recent performances with a fine display at home to Newcastle United.
Goal from Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund sealed the 3 points, and there were good and very good performances all over the pitch.
The result will probably prove insignificant in the long run as the geordies themselves or Chelsea are almost certain to grab the sixth-place Europa League spot, but this will give Reds a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, we can pull off an upset in the FA Cup final.
fringe players shine in great first half
In recent weeks United have often started brightly, but deteriorated as the game has progressed and conceded when they shouldn’t.
It was more of the same in terms of the good start yesterday, but we kept it up for the first 45 minutes and looked like good value for our lead.
Erik Ten Hag handed starts to Amad Diallo and Sofyan Amrabat, with Bruno operating as a false 9 – and it really worked. Bruno was free to unleash all that creativity and ingenuity in the final third without having to drop too deep to receive the ball or get involved defensively too much. Amrabat was the perfect foil to Kobbie Mainoo; acting as the enforcer to provide backbone alongside Kobbie’s creativity, and starting attacks from the back with a wide range of passing.
Amad looked a clear upgrade on Antony on the wing and at times was reminiscent of Jadon Sancho in his pomp; playing with his head up, finding intricate passing patterns to break Newcastle’s lines and taking on his man when he got the chance.
It was Kobbie Mainoo who gave us the first-half lead; Bruno intelligently leaving Amad’s pass to leave him unmarked 12 yards out, after which the young Englishman slotted home coolly.
We were solid-ish at the back too. Casemiro looked markedly better than in recent weeks and made an excellent goal-line clearance in the first half, and Jonny Evans and Andre Onana looked decent.
united finally see out a lead
The second half was action-packed. United started slowly and the excellent Anthony Gordon soon had the geordies level.
But 8 minutes later Amad had us 2-1 up with a beautifully struck half-volley from a corner. Andre Onana made some big saves at 2-1, and then Rasmus Hojlund made it 3-1 with a tidy right-foot finish shortly after coming on.
Newcastle weren’t done, halving their defecit through a Lewis Hall screamer from a corner on 92′. But United were resilient and showed that fighting spirit that Erik Ten Hag rightly refers to so often; ultimately seeing the result over the line.
All-in-all: a very positive performance and a result we merited.
Au revoir
Photo credit: BBC Sport
Although neither were involved due to injury, it was the last time at Old Trafford for French pair Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane.
They each had bright spells for United, but both were restricted due to injuries. Most Reds (myself included) will remember them fondly, but will probably think that they didn’t quite hit the heights we might have expected of them, particularly Martial.
Varane won the League Cup with United, and could still pick up an FA Cup Winner’s medal this season.
Martial won 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, the Europa League and the Community Shield.
PLAYER RATINGS AND MOTM
Onana – 7. Made some big saves in the second half, distribution was good and not at fault for the goals.
Dalot – 6. An unspectacular but steady performance.
Casemiro – 7. A great first half, including a goal-line clearance, and generally solid. Got booked and could have got another in the second half.
Evans – 7. Solid and dependable, didn’t panic when pressed and kept passes simple.
Wan-Bissaka – 5.5. Gave the ball away a few times. Kept going against Gordon and had some success.
Mainoo – 7.5. Looked good next to the more defensively minded Amrabat. Plenty of tidy touches and took his goal really well.
Fernandes – 8.5 & MOTM. They key difference-maker. Creative and positive all night long, involved in nearly everything good United did, including the first goal, and picked up an assist for the third goal.
Amrabat – 8. Worked really well alongside Mainoo in midfield and allowed him and Bruno to express themselves. Made a crucial block from Isak that stopped us going 2-1 behind.
Amad – 8. An eye-catching performance. Looked dangerous, creative and positive, and got an assist and a brilliantly taken goal. A starter for Wembley?
McTominay – 6. Better in the first half, where he was bright and combative.
Subs:
Hojlund (on for Amad on 82′) – 7. Took his goal really well shortly after coming on – will do his confidence the world of good.
Martinez (on for Mainoo on 83′) – 7. The butcher is back! Looked solid and fired up. Just in time for Wembley.
Rashford (on for Garnacho on 83′) – 6. Got a run out after his injury and had a few bright moments.
Eriksen (on for Fernandes on 90′) – N/A.
LOOKING AHEAD
United travel to Brighton on Sunday for what is essentially a warm-up for the much bigger game next weekend. A win could see us into the Europa Conference League, but it’s not a competition most Reds are mad keen on.
More important is the impetus a win would give us going into the FA Cup Final.
So let’s hope for another performance like last night, with no new injuries, and then keep everything crossed for that huge FA Cup Final derby.
