ALTHOUGH none of us really need to look at the Premier League table to discover this, it is now official.
This is Manchester United’s worst ever Premier League team.
A thoroughly-deserved 14th loss of the season – equalling last season’s record number of defeats – means this lamentable team cannot reach 58 points, which was their lowest ever tally from three seasons ago.
After Alejandro Garnacho cancelled out a lovely opening goal from Sandro Tonali, United were swept away in the second half by two goals from Harvey Barnes.
Although cock-up keeper Andre Onana was given the day off, United no 2 Altay Bayindir proved he has been watching him too closely in training by gifting Newcastle a fourth goal through Bruno Guimaraes.
Toon manager Eddie Howe was watching from hospital as he recovers from his illness.
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But his spirits would have been lifted by a strong performance from a team who are now fourth place with a game in hand.
That match is at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Newcastle really do look a good bet for a Champions League spot.
If United are to somehow join them in that competition, they have to win the Europa League so they have to see off Lyon this week.
While this is not impossible following their 2-2 draw on Thursday, this complete mauling will not have given them much confidence. United really are a mess.
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Newcastle are everything that Amorim would like his United team to be. Strong at the back, dynamic in midfield and with a touch of class up front.
In charge of proceedings for Toon was assistant boss Jason Tindall and he is certainly calmer than normal.
Man Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana’s stand-in has a shocker
MANCHESTER UNITED’S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total.
And they can only get that high if they win ALL of their last six games.
If they’re not careful, they could even finish 17th – just one spot above the marooned bottom three.
It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.
Ruben Amorim dropped keeper Andre Onana after his horror show against Lyon midweek.
But stand-in Altay Bayindir had a game to forget too.
Sandro Tonali’s volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.
Here is how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances…
Apart from changing keepers, Amorim also gave a full debut to young defender Harry Amass.
And what was already a tough watch for United’s fans got worse as Joshua Zirkzee – their best player – hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
There could not be too many complaints about Newcastle’s opener as it was pure class.
Alexander Isak played the star turn as he came short to receive a clever, low pass from Kieran Trippier.
With his back to goal around the edge of the area, Isak controlled the pass with his left foot and then delivered a sensational flick with his right boot. The ball looped over the heads of both Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro and Tonali buried a shot into the bottom corner.
United stopper Bayindir did not stand a chance, although he did make a brilliant block to stop Isak from making it 2-0.
And that proved important as United finally got out of their half to level with a counter-attack.
Manuel Ugarte got the better of Joelinton for the first time in the game and picked out Diogo Dalot, who slipped a pass for Garnacho to find space as left-back Tino Livramento had pushed up.
The Argentinian winger still had plenty of work to do but he carefully caressed the ball into the corner, via the post.
United could have been in front at half-time, undeservedly, but Garnacho was denied a second goal by Nick Pope who got down to his left to save.
Ruben Amorim’s team continued with a bit of momentum after the break and had appeals for a penalty waved away when Diogo Dalot went down after going shoulder-to-shoulder with Tonali.
And it got even worse for Dalot as he was easily beaten by Livramento who delivered a far post cross towards Murphy. For his 10th assist of the season, Murphy cut the ball back for his 10th Premier League assist of the season with Barnes having an easy tap-in.
Barnes had started despite Anthony Gordon returning to fitness and that decision was vindicated for his stunning second which condemned United to another defeat.
Noussair Mazraoui dithered, Barnes snatched the ball off him and then ran into an enormous gap which was helped by Lindelof just watching rather than making an attempt to tackle.
Barnes cantered into the area and smashed his shot past Bayindir for his third goal in two games.
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While Bayindir had no chance for that one, he let himself down when plonking the ball on the head of Joelinton when attempting to pass out from the back. Newcastle’s Brazilian nodded the ball in the direction of Guimaraes and he was never going to miss that.
When United’s skipper Bruno Fernandes was then replaced, Newcastle’s home fans responded with a chorus of ‘there’s only one Bruno”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
