Manchester United endured a 4-1 embarrassment at St. James’s Park that summarised their season.
If you have been marooned on an island and missed Manchester United’s entire 2024/25 season, and then – for some reason – wanted to catch up, look no further than the hapless display at St James’s Park.
United had some impressive moments, especially in the first half. Joshua Zirkzee’s pirouetted pass initiated a give-and-go with Bruno Fernandes that released him on goal and forced a reaction save from Nick Pope. It was beautiful to watch, the sort of play you would want to see again and again. But ultimately, it mattered little. The team soon collapsed and the opponent put them to the sword.
Andre Onana was dropped for this fixture after his hapless display against Lyon in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. But it didn’t matter – a Manchester United goalkeeper still produced an error leading to a goal. Altay Bayindir, making his Premier League debut, had an evening to forget.
Newcastle were playing without manager Eddie Howe, reported on Saturday to be in hospital due to persistent ill-health. But the Toons always looked the side most likely to come out on top.
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a well-taken volley from the edge of the six-yard box. Manchester United levelled soon afterwards when Alejandro Garnacho kept his composure to slot the ball into the far corner under pressure from Newcastle defenders.
But Newcastle regained control in the second half. Harvey Barnes netted twice, Newcastle slicing the Manchester United defence open for his first, and then Barnes himself bolting unchecked through the heart of the United penalty area and rifling a shot into the net for his second, after Noussair Mazraoui had slipped and given the ball away.
There was still time for things to get worse for Ruben Amorim’s side. Bayindir, trying to pass out from the back, gave the ball away to the hungry Magpies, and Bruno Guimaraes punished the error accordingly.
The defeat leaves Manchester United in 14th place. Newcastle United, at the other end of the table, are sitting in fourth place, one point behind Nottingham Forest but with a game in hand.
