Soccer

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, even if they win all of their last six games.Altay Bayindir failed to make the most of his rare chance between the sticksCredit: AlamyJoshua Zirkzee impressed before going off injuredCredit: ReutersIt was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.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.ALTAY BAYINDIR – 4 All eyes were on the Turkish goalie as he replaced the dropped Andre Onana.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe didn’t put a foot wrong in the early stages of his Premier League debut and made a superb save to deny Alexander Isak in the first half.But that all went to pot as the Red Devils began to crumble, and he gift-wrapped one the Magpies the fourth when chipping straight to Joelinton.Set the nerves jangling a few more times to leave the manager with one big question – is it time for Tom Heaton to come in?NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 4Looked to be doing alright in the opening period as he often teamed up with Diogo Dalot to try keep out Barnes.Most read in FootballThough, like his team-mates, absolutely went to pieces once Newcastle stepped it up.His mistake for the third goal summed up his poor display.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKVICTOR LINDELOF – 5Marshalled the defence well as the centre of the three during the first period.But the Swede must have felt like the boy with his finger in the dike next to Yoro and Mazraoui.Looked a man with the world on his shoulders once he got the armband late on and will no doubt have been counting down the seconds until full time.LENY YORO – 4Not the finest display from the young Frenchmen, who was booked for tussling before a corner in the opening period.Huge question marks over him positionally for Newcastle’s first two goals.And then a sloppy pass out that almost led to another goal midway through the second period typified this abject performance.DIOGO DALOT – 5Could have been stronger in a few first half challenges but offered a lot of threat in the United attacks.His pace led to the equaliser but once couldn’t make any more of an impact in the second period.And he will be upset that he failed to shut out the threat of two-goal Barnes.MANUEL UGARTE – 5Was unfortunate to go into the book early doors for what looked to be a great tackle on Tino Livramento and that meant he had to play the rest of the game on a tightrope.It was his sloppy play that gave the ball away for Newcastle’s opener but he made up for that by outpowering Joelinton to create the equaliser.But he was one of those that failed to step up and protect the defence once the floodgates started to open.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5The Dane did constantly want the ball but did very little with it.Outpowered, outworked and well off the pace once the going got tough.The magic appears to be waning.HARRY AMASS – 5The 18-year-old was another making his first Premier League start and struggled with the physicality at times.Struggled to make much of an impact going up against Jacob Murphy in attack.And he was caught a yard off it in the build-up to Newcastle’s second before he was taken off.BRUNO FERNANDES – 5Intelligent performance during the first 45 minutes from the United captain.But as his defence caved in to hand Newcastle the win, their leader was nowhere to be seen.There was only one Bruno left smiling today – and they were wearing Black and White.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6His pace was a constant thorn and danger to the Newcastle defence.And he showed great composure with a fine finish to level.Though a sloppy pullback on a rare counter after the break was his last piece of action.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 7The Dutch forward recovered from a sloppy pass early on to produce another encouraging display.Came close to an opener after neat play with Fernandes and battled well with Toon’s big boys Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.Unfortunately, just as it looked like the 23-year-old’s form was building up, his season could be in threat now as he was forced off with a hamstring injury.SUBS:MASON MOUNT (on for Garnacho 55 mins) – 5Struggled to make any impact.Like those before him, he found the Toon midfield was too hungry, physical and just simply wanted it more.RASMUS HOJLUND (on for Zirkzee 55 mins) – 4Tried to get involved physically with Schar and Burn but had zero luck.Offered nothing as his side rolled over and died.PATRICK DORGU (on for Amass 55 mins) – 5Couple of nice touches but nothing of note. Not many will remember his fleeting out this afternoon.LUKE SHAW (on for Mazraoui 77 mins) – 5The only positive for him was minutes in the tank.Read More on The SunCame on at centre-half next to Lindelof for the closing stages and fortunately helped to not concede any more.KOBBIE MAINOO (on for Fernandes 81 mins) – N/AJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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.Harvey Barnes hails his match-turning double for NewcastleCredit: ReutersBruno Guimaraes punished Altay Bayindir’s error with the Toon’s fourthCredit: GettyGuimaraes enjoys completing the second-half routCredit: GettyA 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.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut 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.Most read in FootballSandro Tonali celebrates the boot into Man Utd with his breakthroughCredit: PABEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSNewcastle 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.Eddie Howe will MISS Newcastle vs Man Utd clash after being taken to hospital for testsMan Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana’s stand-in has a shockerMANCHESTER 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.Alejandro Garnacho soon angled a clinical leveller for Man UtdCredit: GettySandro Tonali drilled a brilliant opener for the MagpiesCredit: PARuben 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.Read More on The SunWhile 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”.Midfielder Barnes restored Newcastle’s lead soon after the breakCredit: GettyBarnes slotted his second goal to make it 3-1 after more dozy defendingCredit: AFP More

ENZO MARESCA blamed a moody Stamford Bridge for Chelsea’s flop against Ipswich as they stumbled in the Champions League race.The Blues boss saw his side fall two goals behind against the relegation certainties on Sunday afternoon before rescuing a point in the second half.Enzo Maresca has urged fans to get behind Chelsea following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with IpswichCredit: RexThe Blues saw their Champions League hopes take another hitCredit: GettyChelsea came from two goals down to take a point thanks to Jadon SanchoCredit: ReutersAnd Maresca said his side abandoned their principles due to the “environment” in west London.The Blues started fast but were hit with a sucker punch on 19 minutes when Julio Enciso grabbed a shock opener, before Ben Johnson doubled the lead just after half an hour.An Axel Tuanzebe own goal and a stunner from Jadon Sancho rescued a point, but two points dropped invited further pressure in Chelsea’s unconvincing pursuit of a top five spot.Chelsea handed possession over ahead of both goals by playing long balls, with the home fans prone to grumbling about their team playing out from the back.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaresca said: “We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment.”This is the moment that you have to continue doing the right things and don’t change plans.”Also because we are a team that most of the time our goal kicks we start from playing short, the second goal we decide to play long because of the environment and we concede the second one.”So you have to be strong, you have to continue with the things that you are doing.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”In terms of fans, I said many times, we are stronger with our fans.”We are a better team and it’s up to them to decide the way to be. Today probably, with the 0-1, 0-2, it’s normal to be in the way they were.’I can’t see anything’ – Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smoke”In the moment that we are in, a difficult moment, you can expect that they are not happy.”But in the same moment, it is the moment that we need more support.”Kieran McKenna was disappointed to see his side concede twice after going ahead, but the travelling fans gave them a huge ovation after full-time.We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment.Enzo MarescaThe Ipswich boss is also concerned about Jaden Philogene, after the January signing “opened the side of his knee up” and had to be helped off minutes after coming on as a substitute.McKenna said: “It looks like a blow, no doubt.”He’s opened up the inside of his knee, so it’ll be scanned. It’s usually the MCL that gets some damage in that sort of tackle.Read More on The Sun”He had one on his left side last season, so we’ll get it scanned and see how he is.”We’ll be hoping that the damage isn’t too bad.” More