Image Credits: Premier League Productions
Manchester United travelled to St. James’ Park desperate to bounce back to winning ways.
However, their afternoon ended in another damaging defeat.
Despite going into the half-time break level at 1-1 thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s well-taken goal, the second half quickly spiralled out of control.
Newcastle punished United’s lack of organisation and desire.
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Harvey Barnes scored twice, with Bruno Guimaraes adding a fourth.
United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was handed a rare start after Andre Onana was dropped, but he struggled to impress on his audition at St James’ Park.
The defeat allowed Newcastle to complete a league double over Manchester United for the first time since the 1930/31 season.
That result also marked United’s 14th Premier League defeat of the campaign, underlining the serious problems facing Ruben Amorim’s struggling side.
One former Manchester United legend did not hold back as he analysed the performance on pundit duty.
Nicky Butt questions mentality of Manchester United’s team
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Nicky Butt slammed the team for a lack of desire, aggression and basic football intelligence during the defeat.
“It is easy to sit there and apologise but for me if you go on a football pitch you have to do something about it,” Butt said.
“I did not expect Man United to come here and win. Newcastle are a better team, better individuals, better athletically, more power, more pace.”
Butt was left baffled by the lack of fight shown by the players across the 90 minutes.
“I don’t know how Man United go on the football pitch and allow it to happen,” he added.
“I came here [as a player] and lost 5-0, so it can happen. But allowing it to happen is something different, I didn’t see one tackle or one bit of aggression. I didn’t see anybody go head to head with anybody.”
Butt also highlighted how the players’ passive attitude made it far too easy for Newcastle.
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“You have to at least go and show that we are not going to accept this lying down. They just lay down and let themselves get beat too easily.”
“They have no power and no pace, it is sad to see. I see Christian Eriksen who was a top player and now can’t move, can’t run.”
Butt singled out Newcastle’s midfield dominance and how easily United allowed Barnes to cut through for his second goal.
“It was too easy. Harvey Barnes ran right through the middle of the pitch, that can’t happen. He should have been thinking he should have passed to Isak for the goal but it was that easy for him.”
Butt then criticised United’s refusal to adjust their approach, even with their backs against the wall.
“They played most of the second half playing passes on the edge of their own box playing three yard passes. It’s just boring to watch.”
“As top class players, when do they realise with their own brains that we can’t pass the ball next to our own box because we will concede goals?”
“Clip some balls up the pitch, at least try to get the balls in the right areas. Somebody has to have the nous to clip some balls up the channels, they don’t even do that.”
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Butt insisted the blame couldn’t lie solely with Amorim and urged the players to take responsibility.
“You can’t blame the manager for that, with 52,000 you can’t hear the manager, so somebody has to take control of the game.”
“They are not good enough to play on the edge of their own box and they keep doing it. It was ridiculous.”
Manchester United will now hope to respond when they face Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night.
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Source: Centred Devils
