After the borefest that was the victory against Sheffield United in the FA Cup, Manchester United fans would have been expecting the Reds to step it up a notch and put in an exciting performance against Newcastle United.
They certainly did, but the result wasn’t what they would have wanted. The Reds blew 2-0 and 3-2 leads to draw 3-3 with the Magpies at St. James’ Park, dropping to sixth in the Premier League table.
Wayne Rooney’s stunning goal looked to have secured all three points for United late on, but Paul Dummett’s deflected drive in the last minute ensured that the Magpies came away with a point.
In reality, United should have won this game comfortably. They created enough chances to see them score five or six goals. However, in a defensive sense, it was a shambles, as the Reds made a side that hadn’t scored in four games look very dangerous.
So, how did we rate the players after that end-to-end game?
David de Gea - 7
Simply nothing that the Spaniard could do about the goals and also made some fine saves to keep United in the game.
Ashley Young - 6
Put in a decent shift and dealt with Ayoze Perez well in defence. Ably supported Anthony Martial down the right-hand side in attack and the best out of a bad bunch of performances in the defence.
Chris Smalling - 5
Quite possibly the Maidstone Maldini’s worst performance in a United shirt this season. Drawn out of position too many times and failed to track Georginio Wijnaldum’s run for the first Newcastle goal. Also gave away the penalty for the second, but the debate surrounding that decision will be heated. Some good defending in between, but overall it was an off-day for Smalling.
Daley Blind - 5
Didn’t do much wrong, but didn’t do much right either. Had a tough time against Moussa Sissoko in the second half, but not much to say about his overall performance.
Matteo Darmian - 4
Poor performance from the Italian at left-back. Too easy to get past when taken on and will be lucky that Newcastle had a goal ruled out for offside after he gave away the ball cheaply.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 6
The Frenchman looked fit after being rested for the FA Cup tie at the weekend and kept the ball well for the Reds. However, he’ll be disappointed with the fact that Newcastle were able to get at the United defence time and time again and should probably have protected the defence better.
Marouane Fellaini - 1
It’s a miracle how the Belgian keeps starting for United. His header led to United’s opening the scoring with a penalty, but otherwise he was absolutely woeful.
He picked up an early booking and looked to be on the verge of being sent off throughout the rest of the game. His header also went straight to Wijnaldum’s feet for the Magpies’ first goal. Also had the chance to make it 4-2 to the Reds and kill the game off, but his point-blank header went straight at Rob Elliott.
Anthony Martial - 6
Quiet game by the Frenchman’s standards. Fashioned a chance for himself in the first-half and was keen to get forward, but was marginalised in the second half. Being shifted up top for the final moments didn’t change things.
Ander Herrera - 7
Had a poor game against Sheffield United at the weekend, but this was much better from Herrera.
His movement and link-up play with the front three – especially in the first-half – was great and threaded a wonderful ball to Rooney in the lead-up to the second goal.
Jesse Lingard - 6
A mixed performance from the homegrown youngster, who took his goal very well with a cool and composed finish. However, United fans will be wondering where the composure went in the second half, as Lingard blew a chance to possibly kill off the game, setting Louis van Gaal off on a tailspin on the touchline. Also lucky not to give away a penalty in the first-half with a clumsy challenge.
Wayne Rooney - 9
By far and away the captain’s best performance of the season. Dispatched a penalty with ease for United’s first, then played a delicate reverse ball to Lingard for United’s second. Capped off his performance with a stunning strike for United’s third, which probably should have won the game for the Reds. You couldn’t ask for a better performance from Wayne Rooney – shame that his defenders couldn’t return the favour.
Substitutes
Memphis Depay (7) – Came off the bench once again to provide attacking impetus, just as he did at the weekend in the FA Cup. His movement led to United’s third goal and then put in a wonderful ball for Fellaini, who should have killed the game. Left Darmian a bit exposed at times with his lack of tracking back.
Juan Mata (5) – Came on for Herrera in the closing stages, but was virtually anonymous.