Man United 0-2 Newcastle player ratings: Isak and Joelinton condemn Red Devils to worst ever PL run | OneFootball

The Red Devils have now lost six of their first 11 games under the new manager, including the last four in a row. Amorim has also made unwanted history with Man United, who have now lost three consecutive home Premier League games for the first ever time — failing to score in the last two. It’s the first time they’ve lost three consecutive home league games overall since 1979.

Man United have also lost five league games in a calendar month for the first time since 1962, and lost their final league game in consecutive calendar years for first time since 1985 and 1986.

Newcastle did the damage in the first half thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton, both headers from crosses into the box.

It leaves Man United down in 14th going into 2024, their lowest position at the end of a year since 1989. Newcastle are up to fifth.

Man United player ratings

Andre Onana: 50%

Andre Onana was beaten by two well-taken headers, but both were close to the middle of the goal, which will count against him — he prevented -0.35 goals. The Man United goalkeeper also made just two saves, as Newcastle looked comfortable to sit back and counter once they had had their two-goal lead.

Matthijs de Ligt: 57%

It was a tough night overall for Man United’s defence, but Matthijs de Ligt was the (just about) the best of the sorry bunch. The Dutchman made one interception in the box, denying Newcastle a good opportunity to test the Man United goal. He also made four ball recoveries, but won just 20% of his aerial duels — far too easy to beat in the air.

Harry Maguire: 55%

Harry Maguire has generally been good under Ruben Amorim, but this was one of his poorer appearances. The Englishman — who finished the game with the armband — had some role in Newcastle’s opener, not managing to get his head onto the cross. But one of his partners will deservedly take more of the blame. Maguire looked comfortable on the ball with a retention rate of 92.54%, but Man United needed him to be stronger defensively.

Lisandro Martinez: 54%

This wasn’t the best game for Lisandro Martinez. He allowed Isak to run in behind Maguire and score with a free header. He was then beaten in the air by Joelinton for Newcastle’s second. Martinez didn’t win a single ground or aerial duel, contesting three in total.

Noussair Mazraoui: 57%

Both of the crosses for Newcastle’s goals came with him trying to defend the ball into the box. He got the slight nick on Hall’s cross for Isak’s opener, before being unable to stop Gordon’s delivery. But he did win two tackles and made two interceptions retaining possession, with four possessions won in the defensive third.

Christian Eriksen: 56%

Christian Eriksen didn’t look good in the starting pivot alongside Casemiro, winning just one tackle. He wasn’t trustworthy on the ball, with two unsuccessful touches and a retention rate of 79.1%. Even when moved slightly further forward, the Dane didn’t improve.

Casemiro: 65%

The Brazilian veteran performed well statistically with three tackles won and one interception retaining possession. But Casemiro couldn’t help Man United wrestle control in the opening 30 minutes. He was also pretty sloppy on the ball in front of the defence, with a retention rate of 82.05% and one unsuccessful tough.

Diogo Dalot: 55%

Like his wing-back partner, Dalot made two interceptions retaining possession and won two tackles, with three possessions won in the defensive third. But he offered little resistance to Newcastle’s attack and was part of a system that just wasn’t working in the opening 30 minutes or so.

Amad Diallo: 61%

Amad Diallo showed flashes of threat with two take-ons completed and nine final third passes completed, but he failed to create a single chance. The youngster did make six ball recoveries though and may be a better option at wing-back for Amorim — as he has already shown this season.

Kobbie Mainoo: 73%

Kobbie Mainoo’s introduction in the 33rd minute changed the game for Man United. He was straight into the heart of the midfield, winning three tackles and six duels. Mainoo’s presence allowed Man United to take more control of the game, he was just let down by his attacking teammates. The man he replaced, Joshua Zirkzee, scored 53% before being hooked.

Rasmus Hojlund: 44%

Rasmus Hojlund had Man United’s first shot in the 34th minute, but that was pretty much all he did of note. It was a tough game for the Dane, who had the fewest touches of any Man United starter excluding Zirkzee. Amorim needs to get him up and running if Man United are to climb the table.

Newcastle player ratings

Martin Dubravka: 66%

Martin Dubravka had an easy night at Old Trafford, not needing to make a single save. The one shot on target Man United managed on the night was cleared off the line. He was decent on the ball, completing 10 long passes, but it was a very uneventful night. Just how he’d have wanted it.

Kieran Trippier: 64%

While he has been known for his creativity, Trippier sat back at Old Trafford, allowing Newcastle to attack down the other flank. He was solid defensively with three interceptions, the most of any player for either side. His night came to an early end though as he had to come off injured just before the hour mark.

Fabian Schar: 66%

Alongside his centre-back partner, Fabian Schar looked largely comfortable against Man United’s attack. He made three clearances and won two tackles, while also recording seven ball recoveries, more than any other player.

Dan Burn: 74%

Dan Burn was a rock at the back for Newcastle, making a game-high six clearances. He also won two tackles and made two interceptions, frustrating what was a generally poor Man United attack. The Englishman was also calm as anything on the ball, boasting a retention rate of 94.55%. He also won five aerial duels, more than the rest of his teammates combined.

Lewis Hall: 65%

He was unlucky not to record an assist for Newcastle’s opener as there was a slight deflection on his cross, but Lewis Hall’s delivery was great anyway. Hall was solid defensively too, winning possession five times in the defensive third, more than any other Newcastle player. He continues to prove himself as one of England’s brightest young left-backs.

Bruno Guimaraes: 70%

Bruno Guimaraes controlled the midfield for Newcastle, helping them pull Man United apart in the crucial opening 30 minutes. He was winning the ball back and running the show, with three tackles won and seven duels won in total. Guimaraes also completed 100% of his attempted passes into the final third, with five final third entries.

Sandro Tonali: 59%

Sandro Tonali didn’t have too much to do at the base of Newcastle’s midfield, which counts against his Score. He was dispossessed three times and had a retention rate of 89.71%. But the Italian was always looking to get Newcastle up the pitch, completing seven forward passes and 80% of his passes into the final third.

Joelinton: 72%

Joelinton made it 2-0 to Newcastle with a wonderful header, but his game was about much more than that. The Brazilian won possession three times in the middle third and won four duels overall, bullying his Man United counterparts.

Jacob Murphy: 64%

Jacob Murphy wasn’t too involved going forward, creating one big chance. But got at the Man United defence exactly when he needed too. And Murphy was an excellent defensive winger too, with five ball recoveries and one high turnover. This was a solid performance.

Alexander Isak: 69%

Opening the scoring with a good header, Alexander Isak ended 2024 on a high. The Swede scored eight goals in December, more than any other player in the Premier League. He should have had a ninth, chipping a feeble attempt into Onana’s arms when through on goal in the first half. From headers alone, Isak posted an xG of 0.52, more than any other player managed in xG total.

Anthony Gordon: 70%

Anthony Gordon provided the cross for Joelinton’s goal, beating Mazraoui before sending in a lovely cross. That was one of three chances Gordon created, more than any other player. In total, Gordon completed 10 final third passes and won his sole take-on attempt. He was always a threat, whether on the ball or not.

How do Squawka player ratings work?

Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.

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