Newcastle United – Manchester United: Newcastle Punish Lethargic Manchester United (2-0)

Newcastle were on top throughout this game thanks to their high pressing and energetic attacking. Manchester United struggled to establish a good rhythm in possession and often ended up going long, which was rarely successful. Two second half goals from Newcastle were enough to sink United, who offered little in this game.
Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

These two teams last met just over a month ago, when Manchester United beat Newcastle in the EFL Cup Final. More recently, Newcastle continued their top four challenge with a win at Nottingham Forest. United meanwhile suffered humiliation at Anfield, but were able to bounce back to advance in both the Europa League and FA Cup as they look for more silverware this season.

Newcastle started in a 4-3-3 shape with a back four of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn. Bruno Guimarães was joined by Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock in central midfield, while Jacob Murphy was in the front three alongside Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Erik ten Hag’s side meanwhile started in a 4-2-3-1 system with Diogo Dalot, Raphaël Varane, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw in defense. Perhaps somewhat counterintuitively, Scott McTominay was the one that started as the . . .