MAN UTD 3-2 Newcastle
at Old Trafford
by Harry De Cosemo

MANCHESTER UNITED kept their hopes of European qualification alive going into the Premier League’s final day with a 3-2 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

The Magpies only needed a point to secure a place in the Europa Conference League themselves. But after goals from Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund, must now beat Brentford on Sunday.

Eddie Howe’s side carved out more than enough chances after Anthony Gordon’s second-half equaliser, and their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly — despite Lewis Hall’s late strike.

“We did have chances, it felt like we could score at any moment,” Howe said.

“I don’t think we were under huge pressure tonight. We conceded three goals and each one we’ll look back on and hang our heads.

“We should have done better. You score two away from home, you expect something from the game. We need to learn from today. It is too similar to other away performances where we’re left feeling we are a better team than we showed.”

It was Newcastle, buoyed by the welcome fitness boost of Alexander Isak after illness, who started with greater verve and purpose. But Manchester United went closest inside the first 10 minutes.

Dan Burn, beaten in the air by Scott McToninay, conceded a free kick in a good position, the upshot of which was a hook over the bar from Casemiro.

Newcastle were on the ropes by the time Mainoo opened the scoring. He was left alone in the area, played onside by Kieran Trippier, and slotted home confidently.

But the visitors found a second wind before half time. Gordon thought he should have had a penalty when brought down by a combination of Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat, before the former cleared a Dan Burn header off the line and Bruno Guimaraes headed wide from a corner.  

“It is a stonewall penalty,” added Howe. “I don’t know how VAR hasn’t got involved in that. That’s its job.”

Their upward trajectory continued into the second half, and Gordon soon levelled, applying the finish from close range to a pinpoint Jacob Murphy cross.

He almost turned provider for Isak after a swift counter-attack, but the Swede was denied by a superb last-ditch Amrabat tackle. That was a sliding-doors moment.

Amad fired in the second not much later, free at the edge of the box from a corner and making sure Newcastle were punished by an emphatic finish.

Substitutes Joelinton and Miguel Almiron went close for Newcastle. The Brazilian forced Andre Onana into a save with a header, before Almiron failed to connect with Gordon’s flash across goal.

But Hojlund came on as part of the home side’s own triple change and wrapped it up with a rather tame finish past Dubravka. Hall struck to make for a nervy finish, but Newcastle, who have won at the Red Devils just three times in the league since the second world war, left frustrated once again.

Erik Ten Hag said he was “pleased” with his side’s performance.

“It has been a very difficult season. The fans always support us; the fans and team are together. I’m pleased with the performance. Newcastle are very physical, and we had to match that.”