Man United vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result, score and reaction as Isak stars and Zirkzee booed off
Ruben Amorim is looking for his third win in the league since taking over in November
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United suffered another negative result as Newcastle United ran out 2-0 winners in the Premier League at Old Trafford, with home fans booing the team off at both half-time and full-time - as well as jeering Joshua Zirkzee off the pitch as he was subbed during the first half.
An awful start from the Red Devils saw them behind within minutes of kick-off, an unmarked Alexander Isak heading home from close range. Isak was exceptional all night and had another strike ruled out for offside, but Newcastle could easily have been four or five goals up by half time.
As it was, Joelinton’s header from a similar position to Isak’s goal was the only other strike of the night, but Ruben Amorim could be left in no doubt that his side remain absolutely miles off the level they need to be as they end 2024 in 14th place, while Newcastle rise to fifth. Follow all the latest updates from Old Trafford below:
4’ - Man Utd 0-1 Newcastle
A quick VAR check for offside against Hall - he’s fine, onside, the goal stands. Man United behind already!
GOAL! 3’ - Man Utd 0-1 Newcastle
Well that didn’t take long! A move from the middle out to the left, Lewis Hall picksitup wide and his bending cross is perfect - right over Maguire, onto the unmarked forehead of Isak, six yards out, and he heads down and into the back of the net. So easy for Newcastle.
1 - Man Utd 0-0 Newcastle
We are underway! First time that Hojlund and Zirkzee have both started in the same lineup for United.
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
Almost kick-off time and it’s such a big night for both teams you feel - not just the match and the history of it, but what kind of a platform it could set for each team heading into the January transfer window in 2025.
Newcastle know there’s a Champions League spot very much there to fight for; United might be resetting, but they still need to climb from the embarrassing position they’re in right now.
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
We’re not far off kick-off now - the other two games in the Premier League tonight are underway and the Uniteds will be too in 10 minutes.
A home win will lift Man United up to 11th but they’ll begin the new year in the bottom half whatever the outcome tonight. One win and four defeats in five for them in the league recently.
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
Where are tonight’s potential goals coming from then? Here’s the best numbers from tonight’s players...
xG/90 minutes: Isak 0.77, Zirkzee 0.41
Big chances created: Fernandes 5 (suspended), Isak 7, Murphy 6, Guimaraes 6, Diallo 5
Big chances missed: Garnacho 9, Isak 8, Fernandes 8
Chances created: Fernandes 39, Gordon 38, Isak 28, Diallo 26
Shots on target per 90: Isak 1.6, Garnacho 1.6, Barnes 1.2, Zirkzee 1.1
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
Let’s look at Newcastle for a moment then. They are seventh heading into the match but can rise to fifth ahead of Bournemouth and Man City tonight if they take the three points - away from home this season they’ve won three, drawn three and lost three. Man United’s home form is won four, drawn one, lost four, so certainly looks open from that respect which way tonight might go.
The Magpies have won their last three in the Premier League, one of only three teams in the top flight to have a run of nine points from nine right now. Forest and Liverpool are the others.
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
Richard Jolly is our man at Old Trafford tonight - here’s his thoughts ahead of the match:
“Marcus Rashford returns to the Manchester United squad, albeit on the bench. In an intriguing selection, Ruben Amorim returns to the youthful double act of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield, even if it is partly because Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte are suspended. Joshua Zirkzee is one of the No 10s, which scarcely feels ideal.”
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
Neville continues on Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup and on the prospect of altering that somewhat if he continues to suffer defeats:
“If you remember Louis van Gaal, it felt he signed several players to play wing-back but it changed very quickly. If the results continue as they are for Amorim, he might have to change something. Man United can’t go any lower than they are.”
A bit of a laugh in-studio then as it’s pointed out Man Unitedcan in fact go somewhat lower...! Not that Neville and co want to even consider that prospect!
Man Utd v Newcastle - live
On Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher has been discussing the lack of final-third ability from Man United’s wing-backs and now Gary Neville suggests Newcastle wouldn’t take too many players from their opponents.
How far have they fallen?
“There’s no doubt he’s sick of conceding goals at set pieces. When you look at Newcastle and Manchester United, how many players would Newcastle take? There wouldn’t be many.
“An in-form Onana over Dubravka, Amad over Murphy and maybe the form Maguire has been in, but then I’m struggling. Not sure Eddie Howe would be taking too many from the red shirts.”
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