Man Utd 3 Newcastle 1 LIVE REACTION: Red Devils overcome Magpies scare and pick up vital three points – latest updates

GOODNIGHT

That’s all from another eventful night at Old Trafford.

Manchester United were not at their best, but did enough to get the job done and move back to second spot – but the Red Devils still trail leaders Manchester City by ten points.

That may seem a lot, but just ask Newcastle United how quick a ten-point lead can evaporate.

The Magpies had that very gap over 18th-placed Fulham a week ago, but have seen it chopped to just three points.

Steve Bruce is confident his team will survive, but with an inferior goal difference and a trip to Craven Cottage on the final day, many aren’t so sure.

There’s a lot of football to be played before then though, and we’ll be covering it all here at SunSport.

Thanks for reading, and goodbye.

BRUCE OPTIMISTIC

Steve Bruce remains positive despite seeing his side slip to an eighth defeat in ten games, and believes he saw enough from side tonight to suggest they will beat the drop.

We’ve lost to a wicked deflection, a bit of luck and the third one is a very soft penalty. For 60 minutes, we gave as good as we got. I agree that it is gloomy, but I am confident we will turn it around. I am convinced we will be safe. We have to get to that magical point mark – whatever that is.

Steve Bruce

THE LEAGUE TABLE

Manchester United move back up to second but trail their city rivals by ten points.

At the other end of the table, Newcastle are only three points above Fulham with an inferior goal difference. The two clubs meet at Craven Cottage on the final day.

BRILLIANT BRUNO

For the seventh time this season, Bruno Fernandes has registered a goal and an assist in the same game.

Okay, the touch for the assist was unintentional, and his goal came from the penalty spot, but the Portuguese international deserves that good fortune given his contribution this season.

SOLSKJAER REACTION

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that he had to motivate his side at half-time after a lacklustre opening 45 minutes this evening, and says his players aren’t concerned with the other clubs around them at the top of the table.

We had to up the tempo a little bit, especially in the last third. It’s always difficult after an away game in Europe. It was about moving the ball quicker and being a little cleverer with our positioning. I’m disappointed with the goal we conceded, but we stepped it up in the second half. We can’t control other teams, we just have to be the best version of Manchester United possible. Funny things can happen in football.

Ole Gunnar SolskjaerBT Sport

FULL TIME STATS

Manchester United made their possession tell in the second half as they increased their intensity and peppered Karl Darlow’s goal.

Statistics provided by Opta.

THE GRADUATE

There was little action to report in the final stages at Old Trafford this evening, but those minutes did see the late introduction of 17-year-old Shola Shoretire.

The winger was born in Newcastle in 2004, and becomes the latest graduate of the famous Wallsend Boys Club to play Premier League football.

By making his senior debut against his hometown club, Shoretire follows the likes of Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Michael Carrick and current Newcastle boss Steve Bruce in graduating from the Tyneside youth club to play at the highest level of English football.

FT: MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

Manchester United recover from a poor first half to prevail at Old Trafford. Near post strikes from Marcus Rashford and Dan James, as well as a Bruno Fernandes penalty, were enough to see off a spirited Newcastle side. The Magpies ultimately ran out of steam, but were level at the break through Allan Saint-Maximin’s half-volley.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
PAUL TIERNEY BLOWS THE FULL TIME WHISTLE!

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

90. Shoretire gets his first touches as a Manchester United player as three minutes of stoppage time are signalled by the fourth official.

Shole Shoretire is on for his senior debut.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

89. A lovely moment for 17-year-old Shola Shoretire. The winger was born in Newcastle in 2004, and comes on against his hometown club for his senior debut.

Shoretire replaces Marcus Rashford while Juan Mata is also on for Dan James.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

87. James toys with Lewis before sending a cross into a packed penalty area.

At quick count, there are nine Newcastle players in their own box when that delivery came in. Are the Magpies concerned about goal difference?

A reminder that they are three points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham as things stand, and are due to go to Craven Cottage on the final day.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

85. Greenwood goes galloping down the right. The substitute has looked a lively presence since his introduction, and has arguably contributed more in quarter of an hour than Martial did in 70 minutes.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

83. A trio of Luke Shaw corners – two from the right and one from the left – have United pushing for a fourth.

Two are met by the head of Maguire, the first tipped over by Darlow, the second nodded just wide.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

81. Half-hearted appeals for another penalty as James’ cross ricochets off Lewis.

This shouldn’t need a second look from Stuart Atwell on VAR duty, it’s clearly come off the defender’s thigh.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

79. And there goes Miguel Almiron, replaced by Dwight Gayle.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

77. Jacob Murphy comes on for Allan Saint-Maximin.

The game’s up now, and Steve Bruce is resting his key men for the challenge ahead.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

76. Mason Greenwood goes for the spectacular but is at least three yards too high with his effort.

MAN UTD 3-1 NEWCASTLE

75. Karl Darlow is the only goalkeeper to save a Bruno Fernandes penalty since the midfielder arrived at Manchester United – but there’s no repeat here!

The Portuguese international is as cool as you like as he steps up, and sweeps his right footed shot into the bottom left corner, leaving the Newcastle stopper in a heap in the middle of the six-yard box.

There’s no doubting the award of the spotkick either, given by Paul Tierney after Joe Willock had caught Marcus Rashford on the instep with his studs.

Three goals for United, and what should now be three points.

Bruno Fernandes converts from the penalty spot.

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!
BRUNO FERNANDES CONVERTS FROM 12 YARDS!!

WILLOCK CATCHES RASHFORD ON THE FOOT!!
PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED!!

MAN UTD 2-1 NEWCASTLE

71. A burst of pace from James forces a United corner on the right.

Shaw curls over an inswinger that is met beautifully by Fernandes’ flick on. The Newcastle defenders can only look in hope on as the looping ball drops in between the far post and the advancing Maguire. A let off for the visitors.

MAN UTD 2-1 NEWCASTLE

69. A promising United attack comes to nothing when Fred overruns the ball, and that’s the signal for United’s first change.

Anthony Martial hasn’t seen much action as United’s central striker this evening, and is replaced by Mason Greenwood.

MAN UTD 2-1 NEWCASTLE

68. Fraser tries a long range shot but it has neither the power, direction or swerve to trouble De Gea.

MAN UTD 2-1 NEWCASTLE

65. There’s been no immediate response from Newcastle this time, and their players appear flattened by United’s second.

In contrast, the home side are growing in confidence, and are looking the most likely to score again.