Manchester United end miserable month with 2-0 home loss to Newcastle
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Newcastle United's Joelinton scores their second goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MANCHESTER, England - Newcastle United beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League on Dec 30, thanks to early headed goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton at Old Trafford - an ugly culmination of one of the most miserable months in the home side’s recent memory.
With five losses in their last six league games, Manchester United languish 14th in the standings on 19 points, their worst placing to end a calendar year since they were 15th in 1989.
This prompted United manager Ruben Amorim to admit that they could be facing a relegation fight.
The Red Devils head into the new year 14th in the table, 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea and just seven points above 18th-placed Ipswich Town.
“I think (relegation fight) is a possibility and we have to be clear with our fans. We have to change something, but this season will be really hard on everybody. It can make us stronger and we have to fight,” Amorim said.
“It’s also my fault because I think the team is not improved, I think it is a little bit lost. So it’s a little bit embarrassing as United coach and to lose a lot of games. But we have to cope with that, difficult moments in the life of everybody. So it’s a hard moment.”
Newcastle are fifth on 32 points.
Isak got the visitors on the scoresheet in the fourth minute when he leapt to head home a pinpoint cross from Lewis Hall with both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez failing to pick him up.
It was the 11th goal in 11 games for Isak, who has scored more Premier League goals in December than any other player with eight.
Newcastle doubled their lead in the 19th minute in near carbon copy fashion with Anthony Gordon sending in a cross that Joelinton headed in.
It was Newcastle’s third victory in 57 league games at Old Trafford, with their earlier wins coming in 1971-1972 and 2013-14.
“We know the hurt this fixture has had for us historically, it wasn’t lost on us,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “We didn’t necessarily use that with the players, but it was a big step forward for us today. I think we need to win games like this to achieve what we want on a regular basis.”
It is also the first time since 1979 that Manchester United have lost three consecutive league games at home. Their 18 goals conceded in all competitions in December is their most in a single month since March 1964 (also 18).
The score could have been more lopsided, with Isak lashing a shot past keeper Andre Onana in what would have made it 3-0 in the first half before the offside flag went up to the relief of United fans.
Alexander Isak scores Newcastle United’s first goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Soon after, Sandro Tonali missed an absolute sitter when he ran onto a flick from Gordon but clattered it off the woodwork.
While the home side struggled to get out of their end in the first half, Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro both squandered chances just before halftime.
Hojlund was played in by Martinez but sent his shot across the face of goal, inches from the far corner, while Casemiro unleashed a shot that sailed wide, burying his head in his hands.
Amorim’s men were better after the break and Maguire’s diving header that goalkeeper Martin Dubravka grabbed at least had the Old Trafford crowd - who had booed their squad off the pitch at the break - cheering their effort. REUTERS
