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Manchester United sealed a 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday night, starring the mercurial Marcus Rashford.
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The home team was shocked after two minutes, when Luke Shaw turned a relatively innocuous center into his own net, much to the dismay of a defenseless David De Gea. However, the opening goal seemed to bring Man United to life and they attacked 20 minutes later. Harry Maguire took a big step toward redemption after a tumultuous few weeks, and he drove home from a United corner.
The traveling team mastered the proceedings thereafter, finally getting their reward with 10 minutes to go – Bruno Fernandes expertly finished off a Rashford pass. Aaron Wan-Bissaka added a third moment later, before Rashford finally scored his own goal to seal the victory in style.
Positive
Despite dropping a goal minutes after kick-off, United did not drop their heads. Instead, they raised their game, displaying hunger and appetite that hadn’t been seen in some time. While United’s defense seemed susceptible to Newcastle counterattacks, things were generally much tighter than they had been in recent weeks. The traveling side was quick to close their opposing numbers, limiting magpies to just a handful of tries.
Negative
Although they have improved a lot in the last two weeks, it must be said that the weaknesses persist. Long balls overhead and counterattacks appear to cause panic in the heart of United’s defense, a problem that cannot be rectified after just two weeks.
In an offensive sense, the Red Devils could have been more clinical in the first half as well.
Manager rating out of 10
7 – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted for a series of drastic changes, with Paul Pogba being the most obvious absentee. Apparently all the changes were worth it, as there was a noticeable improvement in terms of work rate and overall intensity. Daniel James and Juan Mata returned to the starting eleven and looked incredibly dangerous throughout, which justifies their selections. Furthermore, Solskjaer’s decision to play Rashford as the sole forward was similarly inspired, as the English international caused Newcastle all manner of problems in the center.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players submitted after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK David De Gea, 7 – He made a number of excellent saves to keep him in the game. He appeared to shake off an early shoulder injury after a collision with the post.
DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 7 years old Defensively solid, but often a waste going forward. That was until the final 10 minutes, when the full-back unleashed a thunderous shot to score his first goal for the club.
DF Victor Lindelof, 6 – Positionally, the central defender was worryingly misguided at times. However, their solid distribution allowed United to build possession well from behind.
DF Harry Maguire, 7 – A much more confident and disciplined demonstration of the pattern; but then again, after the Spurs “kind of disaster” the only way was up. He got his head goal very well.
DF Luke Shaw, 6 years He deflected a cross into his own goal for Newcastle’s first goal. He recovered quite well in the second half.
MF Fred, 6 – The Brazilian often wasted possession, much to the dismay of his teammates. Hardly the return to action that I would have wanted.
MF Scott McTominay, 7 years old – Comfortable in possession and positionally disciplined. Playing as United’s most withdrawn midfielder, he did a solid job for his team.
MF Bruno Fernandes, 9 – He saw his brilliantly taken goal disallowed for offside in the first half. The 26-year-old also missed a penalty at the hour mark, but soon made up for it by shooting home late to give United a vital lead.
FROM Juan Mata, 8 – He took the corner kick that led to Harry Maguire’s powerful header. The Spanish midfielder oozes class at all times.
FW Daniel James, 6 – He seemed dangerous in spells, but as is often the case with the young Welshman, his final product was missing again.
FW Marcus Rashford, 9 – The striker was a living wire and a constant thorn in the side of Newcastle’s defenders. He earned a penalty for the visiting team, set up United’s second goal and took one of his own with seconds remaining.
Substitutes
MF Paul Pogba, 7 – He injected a bit of offensive quality in the second period, which Man United desperately needed.
MF Donny van de Beek, 7 – The move that led to Fernandes’ beautifully crafted goal began. It had a crucial late impact.
MF Nemanja Matic, N / A – In injury time, United went on to score a fourth.
