Newcastle have completed a first league double over Manchester United since the 1930-31 campaign with a 4-1 victory at St. James’ Park.
Goals from Sandro Tonali, a brace from Harvey Barnes and a fourth from Bruno Guimaraes cancelled a first-half strike from Alejandro Garnacho.
Frustratingly, the nature of the loss epitomised many of the issues for the 20-time English champions, with self-inflicted errors contributing to all three of the second-half strikes.
The result solidified a tenth league defeat since Ruben Amorim took the dugout against Ipswich Town in November, with growing concerns from subsections of a disgruntled supporter base.
United drop to 14th in the Premier League ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second-leg meeting against Lyon.
A plethora of second-half errors in another Manchester United capitulation against Newcastle
Amorim made five changes to the starting XI that drew 2-2 in France, with Andre Onana notably omitted following a forgettable evening against Lyon.
Altay Bayindir and Harry Amass came in for their first Premier League starts, with Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Joshua Zirkzee all entrusted from the opening whistle.
Confidence is high in the South East, and although Eddie Howe was absent due to illness, a partisan crowd expected a commanding start.
However, despite home anticipations, United crafted the first threatening opportunity after 13 minutes and will feel they should have taken the lead.
Bruno Fernandes and Zirkee combined on the edge of the area with some exquisite interplay before the Dutchman fired straight into the thankful hands of Nick Pope.
But this Manchester United side has become accustomed to playing catch-up throughout a traumatic campaign. Typically, they fell behind after 24 minutes through a well-crafted Tonali effort.
Alexander Isak, often the goalscorer, turned provider with a magnificent lobbed assist for the Italian to hammer a volley past a helpless Bayindir in goal.
The Turkish shot-stopper was called into action ten minutes later, and his crucial double save denied the Swedish hitman the joy of doubling his side’s lead.
United responded by levelling within two minutes following a sublime counterattacking finish by Garnacho. Diogo Dalot covered 50 yards in seconds before offloading to his Argentinian teammate to slot past Pope inside the area.
The remainder of the half was contested competitively, with United displaying more grit and determination than was on show at Old Trafford in December’s defeat.
Both sides remained unchanged for the restart, and despite a positive early showing from the visitors, Newcastle retook the lead after four minutes through Barnes.
The Reds were inexplicably caught cold in defence before the in-form Jacob Murphy squared a seemingly lost cause for a simple tap-in.
Things went from bad to worse for Amorim when Zirkzee pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury following an impressive 50-yard run moments later.
Rasmus Hojlund replaced the Dutchman, with Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu also entering for Garnacho and the impressive Amass.
But Barnes added his second shortly after the hour mark, profiting from a fatal slip from Noussair Mazraoui before carrying the ball into the area and side-footing home.
On a day when the topic of goalkeeping errors in Manchester reigned supreme, Bayindir gifted the home side a fourth following a nonsensically misplaced pass. Guimaraes couldn’t have wished for an easier opportunity.
Newcastle enjoyed the remainder of the proceedings, with Fernandes receiving a rare substitution late on before a crucial midweek outing.
It is another domestic day for the Manchester United faithful to forget. For Ruben Amorim, the performance is another worrying outing to add to a growing list, as questions regarding Ineos and his long-term future will inevitably surface across the media.
What did you make of this latest outing for a disenchanted United side under their former Sporting supremo?
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