Manchester United retained their chances of qualifying for European competitions thanks to a 3-2 home victory over Newcastle.
The recovered captain of the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes, returned to the start, taking the place of Rasmus Heilund. Casemiro and Jonny Evans have once again made up a bunch of central defenders.
For the first time since March 2, Kieran Trippier started for the Magpies, replacing Tino Livramento.
United didn’t look too good in the first few minutes, but gradually began to improve. Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho had good chances, but Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka saved his team both times.
In the end, the hosts played for a goal. In the 31st minute, the visitors’ defense simply failed, allowing Cobby Mayne to take the ball around the 11-meter mark and hit the goal with a second touch — 1-0.
The Magpies stepped up after conceding a goal, and soon Casemiro brought down Anthony Gordon in his penalty area. The referee and the VAR system chose not to interfere.
However, in the next episode, Casemiro corrected himself when he took the ball with his head from his goal line.
United also overslept the start of the second half. Jacob Murphy shot from the corner of the penalty area to the goal, where Gordon sent the ball into the goal with an outstretched leg — 1:1.
In the 52nd minute, Newcastle managed to organize a three-man attack against one Amrabat, but Sofyan managed to block Alexander Isak’s shot.
Five to five minutes later, the “devils” answered. Diallo ambushed the rebound in the penalty area after drawing a corner and powerfully shot with his left foot into touch — 2:1.
The missed goal angered the Magpies, who began to threaten Andre Onan’s goal over and over again. Gordon had a particularly good moment, which was slightly missed by a shot from an acute angle.
The intrigue lasted until the 84th minute, when Rasmus Heilund entered the penalty area and struck a low shot from under the defender – 3:1.
In the second compensated minute, Lewis Hall again made the difference in the score minimal with a long—range shot, but it was already too late for the “comeback” of the guests – 3:2.
It was a match between the teams that represented England in the Champions League this season, although you can’t tell from the game — both of them have huge problems. However, MY and Eric Ten Hag needed a victory more.
Manchester United vs Newcastle. Match Report