United players rated for their performances so far this season

WHO HAS BEEN THE MAIN MAN FOR NEWCASTLE THIS TERM?

IT has been a dreadful season for Newcastle United so far as the Magpies face up to the prospect of the third relegation of the Mike Ashley era. The 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday night means Steve Bruce’s side have now won just twice in their last 20 matches in all competitions.

The Magpies remain two points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on Fulham, but are still to face the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Bruce retains the confidence of Ashley despite the run of form which has seen United plummet from mid-table security to a relegation dogfight.

The head coach’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, but how have the players fared so far this season? Here’s how we have rated the performances of each United squad member so far this season:

KARL DARLOW - 7

Was one of United’s most impressive performers in the firsthalf of the season.

MARTIN DUBRAVKA - 6

Should have done better for Wolves’ equaliser, but has otherwise been solid since his return from injury.

MARK GILLESPIE - 5

Just three appearances for the summer signing, but a howler against Newport almost cost the Magpies a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

CIARAN CLARK - 6

Poor at Brighton and has been guilty of the occasional error, but has otherwise been a reliable performer.

PAUL DUMMETT - 6

Injury means the Academy graduate has been restricted to just seven appearances so far, but has now seemingly reclaimed his left-back spot.

FABIAN SCHAR - 6

The Swiss international could miss the rest of the campaign, and had seemingly found some form before suffering a serious knee injury against Southampton.

JAMAAL LASCELLES - 7

The captain has been solid at the heart of defence, and has stepped up in recent weeks with important goals against Wolves and Aston Villa.

FEDERICO FERNANDEZ - 6

Not featured since the dismal defeat at Sheffield United, but was a regular under Bruce before being sidelined with Covid-19.

EMIL KRAFTH - 4

Enjoyed a run in the team at the turn of the year, but has consistently struggled since his arrival in the summer of 2019.

JAVIER MANQUILLO - 5

Injuries have restricted the Spanish full-back to just 14

It’s been a bizarre season for Matty Longstaff, who impressed in three festive fixtures but has not featured since January

appearances so far, and the 26-yearold has struggled to recapture the form which earned him a new deal last season.

JAMAL LEWIS - 5

The summer signing has struggled defensively at times, and looks to have lost his place in the starting eleven after being publicly criticised by Bruce for his role in Wolves’ recent equaliser.

JACOB MURPHY - 6

The winger has stepped up at key times with the equaliser at Wolves and his assist for the last-gasp equaliser against Aston Villa, but has otherwise been a peripheral figure.

JONJO SHELVEY - 5

Has not come close to the form which saw him finish last season as United’s top scorer.

MATT RITCHIE - 5

The 31-year-old has struggled for starts and hit the headlines for the wrong reasons earlier this month following his training ground bustup with Bruce.

ISAAC HAYDEN - 7

The season-ending knee injury suffered at Brighton will be a big blow to the Magpies, as the 26-yearold has delivered consistent performances in a number of roles this season.

MIGUEL ALMIRON - 7

The Paraguayan playmaker started the season out of the team, but impressed in recent months in his favoured central role before picking up a knee injury.

SEAN LONGSTAFF - 5

The Academy graduate has struggled so far this season, and his cameo at the Amex was his first appearance since the defeat at Sheffield United in January.

JEFF HENDRICK - 4

The Republic of Ireland international has netted twice but has not won over the fans since signing in the summer, and has barely featured since his sending off against Southampton.

RYAN FRASER - 5

A steady stream of injuries have prevented Magpies fans seeing the best of the Scotland international, who has chipped in with a couple of assists but was also culpable in the loss at Bramall Lane with his early red card.

JOE WILLOCK - 6

The deadline-day arrival enjoyed a dream goalscoring debut against Southampton, and has been consistent despite Newcastle’s continued poor form.

MATTY LONGSTAFF - 6

It’s been a bizarre season for the Academy graduate who impressed in three festive fixtures, but has not featured for the first-team since January 18.

ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN - 6

The matchwinning display against Burnley is a painful reminder of what Newcastle have missed this season, and constant injuries have prevented the attacker

JOELINTON - 4

finding his best form.

ANDY CARROLL - 5

The 32-year-old started the season as Wilson’s partner up front, but has only found the net once and has recently been restricted to cameos. Things have not got any easier for the record signing who has played a number of roles this season but again disappointed with his attacking returns.

DWIGHT GAYLE - 5

Gayle picked up where he left off during Project Restart with the winner against West Brom in December, but has regularly been overlooked despite the Magpies’ chronic lack of goals.

CALLUM WILSON - 9

The undisputed main man for Newcastle. Without his goals, the Magpies would surely be in the relegation zone.