For the first time since 1985 and 86, Manchester United supporters have endured consecutive defeats in the final game of a calendar year following a 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
Without the services of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte through suspension, Ruben Amorim named a midfield pairing of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with Kobbie Mainoo left in reserve.
Joshua Zirkee got the nod ahead of Alejandro Garnacho and the returning Marcus Rashford, starting in the advanced role beside Amad Diallo behind the isolated figure of Rasmus Hojlund.
While I will attempt to provide a synopsis for those fortunate enough to have not seen the game, the visitors won the fixture within the opening 30 minutes amidst yet another questionable outing from an underwhelming group.
For Amorim, it’s six defeats from 11 outings as head coach and three consecutive Premier League losses without registering a goal.
An unsavoury evening at Old Trafford
Newcastle have emerged as a standout contender for Champions League football since shaking off the cobwebs of a damaging 4-2 defeat to Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe has had to deal with a fair share of criticism, but he has developed confidence behind the majestic line-leading capabilities of Alexander Isak.
The Swedish international opened the scoring after four minutes with the simplest of headers following typically uncertain defending at the heart of the United defence.
What followed was a continuous passage of domination that highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the sides, with the visitors commanding 62% possession and supplying endless threats on the goal with consummate ease.
Inevitably, they doubled their lead after 19 minutes with a carbon copy of the opener.
Casemiro and Eriksen struggled to live with the youth and technical quality of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes throughout, and the duo were bypassed with ease before Anthony Gordon delivered a teasing cross for Joelinton to head home.
Zirkzee struggled to impose himself during the opening half hour and was replaced after 31 minutes by Mainoo amidst a deafening chorus of boos.
Contrary to any personal opinion of the player, I find it rather difficult to stomach that sort of response for any of our own.
A moment later, Hojlund was millimetres from finding the net following a delicate run and lobbed effort that supplied a spark for the suffering home support.
Whether in response to the embarrassing treatment of Zirkzee or an inspired change of fortune with the arrival of Mainoo, United began to resemble a football team after 35 minutes of play – albeit far from their collective capabilities.
Newcastle remained a danger in attack and had a third disallowed through offside before Tonali rattled the woodwork with a well-worked effort.
Despite that, Casemiro then missed a stellar opportunity with 47 minutes played, steering an unmarked attempt high and wide of the goal from 15 yards.
To the surprise of many in the ground, Amorim decided to maintain the same eleven for the restart while avoiding the allure of the attacking pedigree on the substitutes bench.
His side appeared willing and able to atone for their underwhelming display in the opening 45, setting about winning the ball high in the opposition’s third and deploying a relentless attacking press.
The pressure began to show, and Harry Maguire rattled the woodwork with a well-worked header after 59 minutes following an intricate Diogo Dalot delivery.
Old Trafford reacted in voice, with Amorim introducing Garnacho and Leny Yoro for Casemiro and Martinez with a little under 30 minutes to play.
But Isak and Co responded by slowing the tempo of the game and maintaining possession, frustrating the crowd and negating any promise of a Red comeback.
Yoro came close from a headed corner during the final quarter, but that was about as much as the home side threatened to reduce the deficit.
Disenchantment was etched across the faces of players and supporters as the whistle signalled an end to proceedings, with the travelling contingent keen to advise Amorim of his impending future following another disappointing evening in the North West.
For the first time since September 1962, Manchester United have suffered five league defeats in a single month and sit 14th after 19 fixtures. Astonishingly, the 20-time English champions sit closer to the relegation zone (7 points) than they do the European places (9 points).
Furthermore, it’s now three consecutive Premier League capitulations without a goal ahead of a trip to Anfield in the New Year.
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