Newcastle beat Manchester United to go third on the log

A disappointing performance from Manchester United sees them lose 2-0 to Newcastle, putting their top-four finish in doubt

Newcastle players celebrate after getting the better of Manchester United at St. James's Park on Sunday. Newcastle won 2-0 to go third on the table. (Photo credit: Premier League)

One moment, Manchester United players and fans were exchanging texts in a WhatsApp group about their chances of landing the Premier League title this season; the next moment, we’re wondering if they will hang on to the fourth spot on the log. This is the English Premier League!

Manchester United went to St. James’s Park for Part 3 of their duels this season.

The first ended goalless at Old Trafford, the second ended 2-0 at Wembley with Erik Ten Hag and the lads carting away the Carabao trophy, but Newcastle returned the favour in equal measure on Sunday on home ground.

The entire United team huffed and puffed till the end of the game with no bite or grit.

The hosts could have scored more had they been clinical in front of goal, but the 2-0 win would do as they’re now third on the log with two to play.

Should Tottenham beat Everton on Monday night, Manchester United will drop to fifth, and that begins the conversation of a potential drop-off completely from Champions League qualification, except if they win the Europa League, which is a possibility.

Credit is due to the Magpies

Eddie Howe’s team took the game to the Red Devils and didn’t take the foot off the gas for the entirety of the game, ensuring the intensity was the same from the very first minute till the end of the game.

Newcastle lost steam at some points in the course of the season but seems to be back to their defensive best, even though their visitors on Sunday didn’t offer much going forward.

After a goalless first half, Joe Willock, who had missed tonnes of chances, headed home on a clever Allan Saint-Maximin reverse header.

Callum Wilson came off the bench to head home late on to confirm the score line, and that result continues United’s poor run on the road.

Manchester United hasn’t scored a goal in the league for close to five hours after failing to find the net against Liverpool, Southampton, and Newcastle.

Up next for Newcastle is a midweek encounter against West Ham United, who managed a win against Southampton on Sunday before going up against Brentford next weekend.

United will play the Bees in midweek before playing Everton at the weekend.