Ruben Amorim was crouching down, shaking his head in disbelief. Even a brief moment in charge of Manchester United told him of his disappointment, but nothing he had witnessed so far had seemed so disastrous to him. As Newcastle United propelled to a victory where they should wish it was a beating, Amorim’s ideas were crumbling before his eyes.
Having warned his job could be in danger if United continue to losehis team produced a first 35 minutes so abject that it suggested perilous times might lie ahead. In this context, an eventual 2-0 defeat was relatively respectable. It promised to be a five or six, the kind of score that would resonate through the ages. Amorim finished by warning that his team could find themselves in a relegation battle. “It’s a really difficult moment, one of the most difficult moments in Manchester United’s history,” he said. “I think our club needs a shock.” They got him in an abject start. In this context, an eventual 2-0 defeat was relatively respectable. It promised to be a five or six, the kind of score that would resonate through the ages.
It was still a fifth league defeat in a month, something United had not suffered since 1962. It was a new all-time low for a club that seems to specialize in exploring new depths. “It’s a bit embarrassing to be manager of Manchester United and lose a lot of games,” Amorim said. No manager has had such a poor start at the club in nine decades. No United team had lost three consecutive home league games for 45 years. This one was beaten in 20 minutes.
It threatened to be a humiliation for Manchester United. It was still jubilation for Newcastle United. Eddie Howe’s side won 3-0 at Old Trafford in last season’s Carabao Cup, but Newcastle have managed just one league victory at Old Trafford in half a century. “We know how much this game hurt us historically,” Howe said. “It was a big step forward psychologically.”
Since Frank O’Farrell was in charge at Old Trafford, only Yohan Cabaye knew what it was like to score in a league win for the Magpies here. NOW Alexandre Isak and Joelinton can speak from personal experience. Each goalscorer told a story, that of a superior striker and midfield supremacy that formed the pillars of a triumph that could have consequences for him.
Fourth in a row for Newcastle Premier League the victory brought their total score to 13-0. They are heading into the Champions League race with a momentum that reflects well on Howe.
Factor in the slide of a Manchester United side who now have just three points from the last 18 available and Newcastle have rarely come to Old Trafford as favourites. They were brimming with confidence, brimming with intent, a team looking to make a statement and did so. They opened up the other United at will. The first 10 shots of the match all came from Newcastle. That’s not even counting a disallowed goal from Isak offside. It was an astonishing level of dominance against an atrocious United side.
Amorim was guilty. He chose the wrong team, in the wrong formation. His 3-4-3 mark has been unlocked. He was a manager with a well-planned strategy against one who tried to impose his model on players who were not suited to it. At least, and while remaining adamant that he won’t change form, he didn’t try to dodge the blame. “I am responsible. I don’t like coming here and making excuses,” he said. “I think people are tired of excuses at this club.”
In midfield, United’s indiscipline took its toll. Without their midfielder Manuel Ugarte and their captain Bruno Fernandes due to suspensions, they were weak, but weakened by the system and managerial choices. The retired duo Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were opposed to the trio Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton: much more athletic, with two class passers. United were outnumbered, outmatched, outplayed, defeated.
After half an hour, Amorim replaced Joshua Zirkzee, to huge applause and some booslooking to strengthen their midfield with Kobbie Mainoo. It was a visceral vote of no confidence in Zirkzee, a horrible signature. It improved his side. Mainoo made the difference. Amorim conjured up a response after the break.
But by then the game was over, an already horribly punishing evening. Newcastle took the lead after four minutes, the tone being set by their spearhead. As supporters swapped songs about Alan Shearer, Isak is Newcastle’s best centre-forward since his goalscoring record. He finishes 2024 with 25 Premier League goals, including nine in a row in the last six matches. He is exceptional, another indication that one United succeeded in recruitment while another failed. Amorim’s fragile side couldn’t take it.
He picked a team with five defenders and they couldn’t defend. They conceded two crosses from the left in the first 20 minutes. The particular culprits were Noussair Mazraoui, who failed to cut out either cross, and stand-in skipper Lisandro Martinez, who did not do enough to stop either scorer.
Newcastle were leading when a crossfield pass from Guimaraes found Lewis Hall, a precise cross from the left-back meeting a towering header from Isak. Then Anthony Gordon’s cross was met by Joelinton. As Tonali hit the post and efforts rained down on Andre Onana’s goal, a third goal seemed inevitable.
But Amorim acted and Zirkzee made his ignominious exit. Rasmus Hojlund, then Casemiro could have scored a goal, but each shot wide. The Brazilian was a blatant failure. After the break, Harry Maguire headed Diogo Dalot’s cross against the post with his head.
While Amorim tinkered, one option remained unused. Marcus Rashford was at least back in the team but he remained a spectator, watching Amorim’s reign worsen.
