Weak links broken as Toon breached by overlapping Devils
UNITED SOCK IT TO HOSTS BUT FADE AWAY
WHEN any neutral saw the final scoreline, they’d have been forgiven for thinking Manchester United strolled to their 4-1 victory over Newcastle United.
But the reality was somewhat different. For 37 minutes, it was the visitors who threatened to breach the Red Devils’ goal on more than one occasion, rather than the other way round.
But even Benitez’s tactical masterplan could not survive the eventual Manchester United onslaught.
Yet this was an action-packed game, filled with incident – and here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh runs you through some of the moments you might have missed from Old Trafford...
4- 4-2 in attack – but 6-2-2 at times in defence
IT won’t have passed any Newcastle fan by that Benitez opted for a 4-4-2 formation at Old Trafford, with Gayle once again partnering Joselu up front.
However, defensively during the first half – particularly when the Magpies held the lead – it became almost 6-2-2 at times, with the wingers tracking back and lining up as additional full-backs at times.
Benitez could be seen regularly on the touchline encouraging his defence to spread wider, too.
The usual black-and-white kit – but unusual socks
WITH Man United wearing their traditional black socks, Newcastle were unable to do likewise due to Premier League and FA regulations.
Instead, the Magpies donned white socks at Old Trafford, alongside black shorts and their blackand-white shirts.
Even during Newcastle’s promising early spell, the warning signs were there out wide
IT was no coincidence that Man United repeatedly attacked down the Magpies’ left-hand side. Javier Manquillo had evidently been pinpointed as a weak link – so Antonio Valencia regularly overlapped down the right, including whipping in an excellent cross for Lukaku to spurn a glorious chance after only seven minutes.
It was a tactic the home side would repeat, and eventually it brought a couple of their goals.
Hayden takes one for the team – and a suspension too
IN the 12th minute, Juan Mata broke clear into space and was advancing towards the Newcastle box, so Isaac Hayden fouled him to halt his progress. That cynical challenge brought a booking, Hayden’s fifth of the campaign – and he will now miss the clash with Watford.
Even Gayle’s goal doesn’t curb the visitors’ attacking intent
NEWCASTLE may have taken the lead through Gayle after 14 min- utes, but that did not curb their attacking intent. Just moments later Jacob Murphy fired cross goal and just past the far post after another swift counter-attack.
In fact, in one attack Newcastle had six players inside the final third – this certainly was not a case of parking the bus.
There are limitations to what Benitez can coach players – defensive instinct is needed too
MANQUILLO’S lack of awareness of who was attacking down the Man United right repeatedly left Newcastle exposed.
During the close stages of the first half, Matt Ritchie was constantly screaming at Manquillo to push wider and cover the overlapping Man United winger.
Benitez’s coaching is improving Manquillo, but the Newcastle manager cannot conjure up defensive instincts for him.
Shelvey’s slip just about sums up Newcastle’s second half
FOR 37 minutes, everything clicked for Newcastle – but during the second half, nothing the Magpies tried appeared to work.
This was summed up by Jonjo Shelvey’s run into the box from 25 yards out.
The United ‘quarter-back’ advanced past two defenders and got to the byline, only to slip over and lose his footing before he could cross the ball.