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The Great Newcastle Resistance

MANCHSTER UNITED VS NEWCASTLE UNITED : MY VIEWS

Manchester United finally played a league game after a gap of 16 days, though they would have asked for a better return. The Mancs played the Magpies in an away game they were expected to win with ease. Newcastle, the richest club in the world were far from intimidated by the big name in the opposition squad and were the better team for most of the game. Varane was returning from an injury and his return was thought to provide the much needed defensive stability, yet it were their less fancied rivals who were on top for most of the game. Here are my thoughts on yesterday's match ;-

1. United's defensive woes

Lets get the elephant out of the room, United's defense was utter shambles. Maguire, as usual was making costly errors leading to chances for the opposition. Varane, returning from his injury, looked rusty and lost the ball in the build up to the 1st goal. In all both Maguire and Varane lost the ball 11 times, a combined 22 times! you simply don't loose the ball that much especially in a possession based system that Rangnick wants to implement. The full backs Dalot and Telles weren't much better either, Dalot lost the ball 19 times and had only 1 out of 6 attempted crosses successful. Defensively he wasn't good either. As for Telles, 4 of his 6 crosses were successful, while he lost possession 12 times.


2. Unusual Formation

It's a well known fact that Rangnick loves the 4-2-2-2 system, and he also likes Greenwood a lot. BUt did playing a 4-2-2-2 with this squad make any sense? For me it didn't. Bruno is a hole player, he looks for spaces, by playing him on the left his creativity was hampered. He had to cut in on his right to make the crosses, that didn't help as he lost possession 26 times, had a passing accuracy of just 73.6% with 0 shots on target. Just 4 of his 26 attempted long passes were successful. In the 2nd half, Rangnick  chose to play him a bit deep and it helped in United's only goal. The midfield of McFred was not upto it again, with Fred being worse of the two. Mctominay's tendency to run away from passing positions didn't help.


3. The Attacking Woes 

Imagine having Cristiano Ronaldo in your side and still not being able to create enough  chances for him...yes, that's Man United. Ronaldo had only 37 touches and 0 shots on target thanks a no show from the creative players. Rashford was poor, again, and Rangnick's persistence with young Mason Greenwood might start to backfire like it did with Ole. IN short, Cavani has to play. he's mobile, drops down and is the perfect partner for Ronaldo upfront. Greenwood for me is just too young. Sancho and Van de Beek need to start as well, with creativity upfront being almost non existent.


4. DDG the Hero and a new system

Its not a good thing when your goalkeeper is more talked about than your players upfront, but that just sums up this United team. David de Gea has been the lone warrior in this team for a long time now. The team looks uncomfortable to play with the intensity Ralf wants. Most of the players lost the ball in excess of 10 times with Bruno being 26, Rashford 19 and Dalot 19. This is just not acceptable as it provided Newcastle chances on the counter.


5. Joelinton the midfielder

Masterclass, that's it. Take a bow Eddie Howe, Joelinton proved his worth yesterday witha stellar display. The usual centre forward was deployed as a box to box midfielder and boy, did that work. He had 44 touches, his crossing was good with3 of his 4 successful, his passing accuracy was good as well close to 80% . All in all he had a great game, that nutmeg on Rashford was the icing on the cake for me.


6. Allan Saint-Maximin

Wow, just wow. Maximin dropped a masterclass on the left hand side of the midfield. HIs pace, the stepovers, the trickery, the passing....too good. I would be so surprised if he still stays at Newcastle in the next 5 years. All in all he has 65 touches, 78% passing accuracy and played a big role in the 1st goal. He will have to continue his form if Newcastle don't want to be the richest club to be relegated.


7. Turnovers and a solid midfield

Jonjo Shelvey, the guy's been here for ages. He was solid in the middle of the park along with a 77% passing accuracy. Him along with Fraser, and the full backs were quick and dangerous on the counter creating lots of good chances. A vociferous home crowd of 52000 were driving this team on and they clearly repayed them back.

Summary

United need to improve, its that simple. Its not right to blame Ralf now cause he's been here only recently. The players were poor yesterday and they have to take a long hard look at themselves. You won't trophies by favoritism and talking only, you need results. And United it seems, are far far away from one.

Newcastle other hand will look to rebuild their squad in January and should avoid the drop if this form continues.

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