Newcastle United player ratings v Man Utd: 'Ineffective' Anthony Gordon & 8/10 'best player' in 1-0 loss
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle United player ratings: Here’s how Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Miley and co fared at Old Trafford.
Newcastle United lost 1-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day - here are the player ratings from the match.
Eddie Howe named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea last time out in the Premier League at St James’ Park. Nick Pope returned on the bench after a month out with a groin injury while Anthony Elanga dropped out due to injury.
16-year-old midfielder Sam Alabi was named on the substitutes bench for the first time in a Premier League match for the club. Last month, the teenager was part of Newcastle’s matchday squad in the Champions League at Marseille.
Manchester United opened the scoring midway through the first half as Patrick Dorgu volleyed the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal following a long throw into the box.
After a fairly slow start, the hosts then took the momentum into half-time having taken the lead. Newcastle hadn’t picked up any points from losing positions prior to the trip to Old Trafford and would have to buck that trend in order to get a result this time around.
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Newcastle pushed for an equaliser in the second half and had a penalty shout turned down, but failed to find the breakthrough as they experienced more away day frustration.
Here are the Newcastle United player ratings from the match...
Aaron Ramsdale - 5
Denied Matheus Cunha at his near post but conceded following the resulting throw-in as that Premier League clean sheet continues to elude him. Parried an effort to prevent Dorgu from making it 2-0.
Lewis Miley - 5
Matheus Cunha got the better of him on a couple of occasions. Was solid at right-back against Chelsea but looked like a player playing out of position on this occasion. Couldn’t find the target with a late effort with his left foot.
Malick Thiaw - 5
Looked a little less confident after last week’s mistake. Slightly more hesitant with his passing and challenges but grew into the game as Newcastle pushed for an equaliser.
Fabian Schar - 5
Gave the ball away on a couple of occasions with some sloppy passing. Saw a shot deflect wide early in the second half. Had a big let off after being caught out with a long ball forward but Diogo Dalot squandered the chance. Headed over late on.
Lewis Hall - 8
Brought the game's first real bit of quality as he went on a brilliant run through the middle to set up Jacob Murphy for a good opportunity. Turned a couple of times down the left but crashed one off the bar from distance. Head and shoulders above any other player in black and white.
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Sandro Tonali - 5
Really sloppy on the ball at times as he struggled to find a teammate. Had a couple of good moments off the ball but was inconsistent throughout his time on the pitch. Booked.
Bruno Guimaraes - 5
Made some important defensive contributions but lacked that creative spark Newcastle needed and was let off after giving the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area just before the hour mark.
Jacob Ramsey - 5
Made a good challenge on the edge of the box and brought some good energy when in possession but fell away after losing his man as Man United opened the scoring. Burst into the box at the start of the second half but lost his footing.
Jacob Murphy - 4
Saw an effort deflect over after being played in by Lewis Hall. Slow to react at key moments but did put a dangerous cross into the box at the end of the first half. Poor off the ball.
Anthony Gordon - 4
Had a couple of promising runs down the right but his balls into the box were dealt with. Rolled an effort just past the left post in the second half and skied a good opportunity late on. Another ineffective away performance.
Nick Woltemade - 4
His attempted headed clearance fell kindly to Patrick Dorgu to give Manchester United the lead. Offered little in the final third and didn’t threaten the goal.
Substitutes
Joelinton - 6
On for Ramsey 67: Had a tame shot easily saved by the goalkeeper. Brought some physicality to the midfield and put himself about.
Yoane Wissa - 6
On for Woltemade 68: Threw himself at a ball into the box but didn’t connect properly. Got into some good areas, just couldn’t be found.
Harvey Barnes - 5
On for Murphy 68: Saw plenty of the ball down the right but did little with it.
Joe Willock - n/a
On for Tonali 77: Had a couple of clever touches and runs but couldn’t help Newcastle find an equaliser.