Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Match ratings and comments on all NUFC players | OneFootball

We asked Jack Watt to give us his match ratings and player comments after Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2.

A game that Newcastle United could and should have won.

The better side overall.

More of the ball as well as a fair few great chances. Better quality and more of them, when it came to opportunities to score compared to Man U. However, defensive weak moments contributing significantly to our downfall.

Martin Dubravka – 4

Surely this will have been his last ever start for Newcastle United and Nick Pope back in on Sunday. I understand very difficult for Eddie Howe, with Pope just back and having had such a tricky injury for a keeper, plus such a massive game and in the final days of the season.

However, whilst Dubravka has been a great servant in the past, he is clearly no Premier League keeper now.

It isn’t just his unwillingness to come out and sweep behind the defence, he simply creates panic time after time by refusing to help out his defence. His communication all but non-existent and I have lost count of the number of times NUFC end up giving away unnecessary possession and corners, due to Dubravka causing panic in situations where somebody like Pope would speak to his defenders and easily gather the ball.

The most important thing as well, stopping the ball going into the net. I think Pope would have prevented two, if not all three, goals last night. I can’t believe how Dubravka let the winning Hojlund goal in, it went through him. Pope would have saved the Mainoo one as well, whilst as for the Amad Diallo strike, I reckon a toss of the coin as whilst it was well hit, it wasn’t far from Dubravka.

Bottom line is Nick Pope gets himself in great positions as well, ready to try and made the save, Dubravka just a case of reacting at the last moment.

Kieran Trippier – 6

Obviously at fault for the first goal when playing Mainoo onside AND clearly not 100%.

Thought he did ok overall but for sure Eddie Howe would have kept Tino in, if he hadn’t joined the injury list! As I say, thought Trippier did alright despite not fully fit.

Emil Krafth – 6.5

Battled away and has done decent in the absence of so many defenders.

As a third choice or whatever he earns his place in the squad but looks increasingly exposed when having to play a run of games.

Dan Burn – 7

Another good game in the middle.

Very unlucky not to score when his header just cleared off the line by Casemiro.

Lewis Hall – 8.5

What a player.

Eddie Howe has played a blinder with the teenager, giving him time to develop and integrate, now getting regular starts he is showing top quality.

Very good in defence and supreme when keeping his cool in possession and carrying the ball forward. I think he is going to be an England certainty in the future and prove to be one of Howe’s very best signings.

Strikes the ball really well and a fine goal that sadly proved not quite enough.

Sean Longstaff – 6.5

Thought he linked play pretty well, plus his usual non-stop running.

One of many Newcastle players of not takin a great chance when it came.

Bruno Guimaraes – 7.5

At the heart of most of Newcastle’s best play and so brave in possession.

Takes on so much responsibility and is the heartbeat of the team.

Elliot Anderson – 6.5

A bit like Longstaff, thought he did pretty well going forwards and backwards.

In the big moments just needs to relax a little and make better choices at times.

Easy to forget this was only his 13th Premier League start of his career.

Jacob Murphy – 6

A great low cross and assist for Gordon’s goal.

However, shocking header which led to Amad’s goal. Positioned on corners for the very reason of heading clear if Man U attempting that kind of delivery, Murphy should have headed well clear. Instead he glanced it directly to the goalscorer.

Another player who gets more and more exposed the more he plays. A squad player but not one capable of starting regular in the Premier League for NUFC.

Alexander Isak – 6

Like Trippier, Isak having to start even though not 100%, with no alternative as Wilson was unavailable.

A lovely ball inside the defender for Murphy to cross for the Gordon goal.

A lot of criticism that he didn’t score when his shot was deflected onto the bar. However, United had a three on one and I thought Gordon’s ball across to Isak could have been better timed and put Isak in an easier position to score.

Anthony Gordon – 8.5

He just keeps getting better and better.

A great finish for the first Newcastle goal and caused Man U problems all night, frequently sprinting past his opponent. Plus of course cheated out of a stonewall penalty.

Fabian Schar – 6.5

Last half hour he came on and did ok.

Having him on the pitch certainly helped Newcastle play the ball out of defence.

Joelinton – 7.5

Looking like he is on his way back to fitness and form.

Made a real difference when coming on and looked a goal threat.

Should have done better probably with the chances that came his way.

Miguel Almiron – 6.5

Looked lively again off the bench.

Gave United some extra movement and legs.

I think for sure we will see the likes of him, Joelinton and Pope starting at Brentford.

Harvey Barnes – N/A

Given little time to make something happen.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Wednesday 15 May 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 49, Hall 90+2

Man U:

Mainoo 31, Amad 57, Hojlund 84

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Man U 45% Newcastle 55%

Total shots were Man U 17 Newcastle 21

Shots on target were Man U 8 Newcastle 8

Corners were Man U 9 Newcastle 9

Referee: Robert Jones

Newcastle United team:

Dubravka, Trippier (Schar 63), Krafth, Burn, Hall, Longstaff (Barnes 77), Bruno, Anderson (Joelinton 62), J Murphy (Almiron 62), Gordon, Isak

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, Ritchie, White, A Murphy

(Match Report – Please don’t gift any goals and please, no refereeing or VAR shockers – That’s all I ask… Read HERE)

(Why didn’t Sky Sports have Sir Alex Ferguson as well… or was he on VAR duty? Read HERE)

(Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Shocking VAR decision denies NUFC – Read HERE)

Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)