Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first aim with Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Corridor in a Premier League match in opposition to Manchester United on December 30, 2024. — Reuters
Manchester United suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, shedding 2-0 to Newcastle United at Previous Trafford on Monday, as targets from Alexander Isak and Joelinton marked the Purple Devils’ dismal finish to 2024 and elevated strain on supervisor Ruben Amorim.
Simply two months into his tenure, Amorim conceded this week that his job is on the road until outcomes start to enhance.
The Portuguese has gained simply two of his first 9 league video games to depart United languishing down in 14th, simply seven factors above the relegation zone.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the primary 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted the Magpies into fifth.
Amorim stood aghast at what he was witnessing within the first half as Newcastle lower via the house facet at will.
Simply over three minutes have been on the clock when Isak was afforded house contained in the six-yard field to move in Lewis Corridor’s cross and rating for the sixth consecutive Premier League sport.
United badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes because the Newcastle midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton performed across the ageing duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.
Isak blew an enormous probability to double the guests’ lead when he fluffed an tried dink over Andre Onana and the Swedish striker additionally had a aim dominated out for offside.
Nonetheless, it was only a matter of time earlier than Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Joelinton burst in to fulfill Anthony Gordon’s cross.
Amorim responded by changing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after simply 33 minutes – a transfer greeted with cheers by the annoyed Previous Trafford crowd.
Tonali ought to have made it 3-0 when he hit the submit on the finish of a flowing Newcastle transfer via the center of the United defence.
Nonetheless, Eddie Howe’s males almost gifted the Purple Devils a route again into the sport earlier than half-time.
Rasmus Hojlund missed an excellent probability to drag a aim again when the Dane fired large with simply Martin Dubravka to beat.
Casemiro then wasted an excellent higher alternative after Fabian Schar offered possession to Mainoo.
Amorim’s half-time pep speak did at the very least muster some response as United started the second half much better.
Harry Maguire’s header got here again off the submit earlier than Corridor blocked De Ligt’s goalbound follow-up effort.
Marcus Rashford had been restored to the United squad for the primary time in 5 video games however remained on the bench for the total 90 minutes as Amorim turned to a different outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make a distinction.
However the Argentine worldwide was launched simply as Newcastle had ridden the storm and started to say their management as soon as extra.
A 3rd consecutive residence league defeat for the primary time since 1979 is the most recent within the listing of sorry statistics which have marked United’s decade of decline.
The worry for Amorim is that the shedding run solely seems set to proceed into 2025.
A frightening journey to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday earlier than United journey to Arsenal within the FA Cup third spherical.
