Man United Player Ratings vs Newcastle: Here’s how the Red Devils fared
Substitute Alexis Sanchez scored the winner as Manchester United completed a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Newcastle United 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Newcastle seemed set to compound further misery upon Manchester United after establishing a two-goal lead, courtesy of early strikes from Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto.
Nemanja Matic missed a sitter early in the second half but substitute Juan Mata halved the deficit with a fine free-kick in the 70th minute to give United some hope. They duly levelled the scores through Anthony Martial’s fine finish after a fantastic link-up play with Paul Pogba.
The winner was found by Sanchez, who jumped to head home Ashley Young’s cross from the right to set Old Trafford bouncing.
Manchester United Player Ratings
David De Gea – 7/10
He was beaten twice in the first 10 minutes but held his guns and made a couple of crucial saves to keep United in the game.
Ashley Young – 6/10
Young was beaten quite easily by Kenedy for Newcastle’s opener and then was culpable for Muto’s goal too. But he improved in the second half and delivered the cross for Sanchez’s winner.
Chris Smalling – 5/10
Struggled to pass the ball out from the back and lacked composure in the first half. Put in a better display after the interval.
Eric Bailly – 2/10
Was substituted after 19 minutes with Newcastle 2-0 up. Bailly’s position was poor for both goals and he was sacrificed for Mata as United chased the game.
Luke Shaw – 5/10
He wasn’t at his sublime best. However, Shaw stayed strong defensively and stayed focused throughout the game.
Nemanja Matic – 3/10
Was really sloppy with his passing and took way too many touches on the ball when he could have released a lot quicker. Matic looked anonymous and missed a sitter after the break. Could have also scored an own goal. A forgettable evening!
Scott McTominay – 2/10
Struggled throughout the game and was erratic when he changed his position from central midfield to central defence. Was rightly hooked off after the break.
Paul Pogba – 7/10
Pogba lacked the guile in the first half but he stepped up after the break. Played a delightful back pass to Martial for the equaliser.
Marcus Rashford – 3/10
Rashford showed a lot of energy and fight when United went 2-0 down. Missed two gilt-edged chances.
Anthony Martial – 7/10
Displayed a lot of fight and gave Yedlin a torrid time with his dribbling skills. Scored a fantastic equaliser.
Romelu Lukaku – 5/10
Lukaku’s touch deserted him again but he worked tirelessly. Offered a couple of very good crosses which deserved to find the back of the net.
Substitutes
Juan Mata – 7/10
Changed the whole complexion of the game with a superb free-kick.
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Marouane Fellaini – 6/10
Added a lot of steel to the midfield and was a thorn in the Newcastle defence.
Alexis Sanchez – 7/10
Looked lively with his off the ball movement. Headed home the winner to set Old Trafford rocking.