When both of these sides imagined battling for a European spot at the end of the season, it would certainly not have been quite like this.
Newcastle United’s hopes of European qualification are now very much hanging in the balance after this defeat at Old Trafford. But Manchester United, who still have the FA Cup final against Manchester City to come, at least kept their side of the bargain — even if Chelsea’s win against Brighton and their goal difference may count against them.
Kobbie Mainoo opened the scoring for the hosts in the 31st minute, finding himself unmarked in the box from a corner, but Newcastle equalised through Anthony Gordon after the break. Amad, 21 (pictured above), scored his first Manchester United goal in the 57th minute and Rasmus Hojlund, on as a substitute for just 107 seconds, made it 3-1 with his first touch before Lewis Hall pulled one back with a lovely left-footed strike in stoppage time.
Mark Critchley and Chris Waugh analyse the main talking points from Old Trafford…
What does this mean for Manchester United?
Whether this turns out to have been Erik ten Hag’s final game in charge at Old Trafford or not, a handsome victory over a rival for a place in Europe can only help his cause.
Ten Hag wanted a reaction to last week’s humiliation at Crystal Palace, felt he got one despite defeat against Arsenal on Sunday, but will be altogether more pleased that an equally spirited display was enough to take all three points this time.
Mainoo opens the scoring (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the win, it will still be difficult to claim a place in Europe through their league finish given the frankly tragic goal difference of -3. United need results elsewhere to go in their favour whatever happens.
Some might even consider a gargantuan goal-difference swing more realistic than beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final and claiming a place in the Europa League.
But still, they have a chance. Defeat tonight would have left Manchester United marooned in eighth place, condemned to their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era by both position and points. They can still avoid that and that, in this most trying of seasons, is something.
Mark Critchley
What does this mean for Newcastle United?
Newcastle’s European fate is no longer within their own hands.
Chelsea have leapfrogged Newcastle and require just a point at home to Bournemouth on the final day to secure sixth. Howe’s side are level on points with Manchester United, but above Ten Hag’s team on goal difference, a factor which could yet prove critical.
Newcastle’s season-long away form, which is merely the 15th-best in the Premier League, has held them back throughout the campaign. Coming unstuck at Old Trafford was perhaps unsurprising, given Newcastle have won there once in the league since 1972, but there is no guarantee they will go to Brentford and triumph on Sunday either.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Even if they do better or equal Manchester United’s result at Brighton and finish seventh, Newcastle will not know whether they will be playing in the Europa Conference League or out of continental competition next season until after the FA Cup final the following weekend. Newcastle’s interminable season may extend a week beyond their own final fixture.
Chris Waugh
Is Amad the type of right winger Ten Hag needs?
There were a couple of surprises in Manchester United’s starting line-up: Bruno Fernandes as a false nine for one, no Rasmus Hojlund for another. But nobody should have been surprised to see Amad retain his place on the right wing.
Arguably Manchester United’s brightest player until being forced off early against Arsenal, the 21-year-old is a different type of winger to those with more appearances under their belt this season.
He certainly has more end product than Antony. Amad’s first Premier League goal — as clean a hit as you’re likely to see — matched Antony’s tally for the season in 21 fewer games.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Yet he is also a little more composed on the ball and possession-oriented than either Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho, suiting the more pared-back style seen from Ten Hag’s side recently. That, and more regular opportunities for Amad, have been long overdue.
More to come from Anthony Gordon?
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Were it not for Gordon, then Newcastle would not even be in the hunt for European football in the final throes of this season. He has played in 35 of their 37 league matches during a campaign in which Newcastle have been beset by injuries, only missing two through suspension, and has provided 11 goals and 10 assists.
He was denied what would have been his seventh penalty award of the campaign during the first half, despite Sofyan Amrabat treading on his heel, ripping the winger’s sock in the process.
Regardless, Gordon continued to drive forward, repeatedly taking on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and carrying Newcastle into dangerous positions. His improved scoring instincts were also evident when he arrived late to prod Jacob Murphy’s delicious whipped cross into the six-yard box to draw Newcastle level.
As crucial as Gordon has been, this was only his second goal on the road, with the majority of his involvements coming at St James’ Park. The 23-year-old has reached double figures for goals and assists this season, yet what is so exciting is that there is still so much developing still to come.
Chris Waugh
What did Erik ten Hag say?
“It’s always nice to win any game. It’s important to win the last game at Old Trafford this season. The fans deserve this because they’ve had difficult times and always stayed with us. We are here together. We wanted to pay the fans back.
“Fantastic. Great goals. But it was a team effort how we made the goals. But I’m always happy at young players who are progressing very good and scored some brilliant goals.
“Newcastle have a lot of physical power and you have to match that but you also have to play football. We had found the really good balance in this.”
What did Eddie Howe say?
“Frustrating for us. Away from home this year, our record hasn’t been good enough. We conceded poor goals and ultimately that has cost us the game.
“It was a decent performance. We looked a good team but were let down by some of our defending. Attacking-wise, we were good and had a threat all game. We took our goals well. Frustrated we didn’t get more.”
What next for Manchester United?
Sunday, May 19: Brighton (A), Premier League, 4pm UK, 2pm ET
United’s most recent game against Roberto De Zerbi’s team was a humbling experience: the away side left Old Trafford with a 3-1 win in September.
But overall, United have a solid record against Brighton, winning 19 and drawing five of 31 meetings between the two sides in all competitions. If fit, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will be favourites to get on the scoresheet — both have four goals apiece against Sunday’s opponents.
What next for Newcastle United?
Sunday, May 19: Brentford (A), Premier League, 4pm UK, 2pm ET
Despite question marks over Newcastle’s away form this season, perhaps there is no better place for Eddie Howe’s side to visit as this Premier League campaign ends.
Newcastle are unbeaten against Brentford since the latter’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021 (five matches) and have won on their last two visits to the Gtech Community Stadium. In fact, the last time Brentford beat Newcastle at home in the league was in January 1948 — a Second Division match that ended 1-0 at Griffin Park.
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