Positives to be taken from defeat
Chief Sports Writer RAFA Benitez has told his Newcastle United players he is proud of their efforts against Manchester United – but hopes they learn from the experience.
Benitez will spend this week rallying his players after they suffered their third defeat in a row in the Premier League.
Dwight Gayle’s strike in the first half – which put Newcastle in the lead – was the first that Man United have conceded at home from open play in 21 hours and 37 minutes, a run that goes back to December 2016.
After the game, Benitez told the BBC: “We did really well and I am really proud of the players because it was a difficult game and we did everything we needed to do.
“The first and second goals made a difference because we then had to start the second half knowing we had to score, then we conceded and it was even more difficult.
“Against players of this level you have to do everything perfect, if not you pay for it.”
Benitez was convinced that missed chances in the first half were the main reason Newcastle left Old Trafford with such a disappointing scoreline.
He said: “We were unlucky because there were some chances we didn’t take in the first half and in the end that made the difference.
“If we had gone in level at half-time it would have been crucial for confidence and we couldn’t do it.”