Manchester United move back up to second and keep their slim title hopes alive with 3-1 win over Newcastle as Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes net at Old Trafford
- Marcus Rashford opened the scoring midway through the first half when he beat the keeper at his near post
- Allan Saint-Maximin equalised soon after with a good finish after the ball fell to him in the penalty area
- Daniel James restored the home side's lead when Nemanja Matic's low ball reached him at the back post
- Bruno Fernandes scored the third from the spot after Joe Willock brought down Rashford in the box
The only team that should be particularly cheered by this result are Fulham.
Manchester United were desperately ordinary and didn’t particularly deserve to win, only coming alive after Newcastle invited them back in to the lead just before the hour. They are second in the Premier League but that in itself is remarkable. They will scare absolutely nobody playing like this.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are on the slide and showing alarmingly destructive tendencies. Of all the discussion around the tenure of manager Steve Bruce, the possibility of relegation has not really been part of it until now.
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Fulham – third from bottom and in form – are suddenly only three points behind Newcastle with a better goal difference. If Newcastle were to lose again against Wolves at St James Park on Saturday, owner Mike Ashley – who simply cannot afford his club to go down for so many reasons – may have a decision to make about his manager.
Strangely, Newcastle didn’t play at all badly for an hour here. During that time they were the better team. They were more energetic and played with more purpose. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were just horribly docile.
But Newcastle lost the game 3-1 and by the end it could have been more. They fell apart a little late on, a reflection of disappearing confidence. Another bad sign.
United’s stats will look good in the morning. Late on they created chances. But that should fool nobody. Newcastle helped them to each of the three goals they scored and they remain a side with about three different personalities, none of them very convincing.
Early on the home team were slow, passive and reactive and from that point of view it was a surprise when they went ahead on the half hour. Prior to that Newcastle had created some chances.
They are a team that clearly lack belief, however. That was clear from their early hesitancy in and around the United penalty area and the defensive calamities that eventually decided the match.
The tall Brazilian Joelinton was the main culprit. In only the fourth minute he controlled a clearance poorly only to turn and deliver a deflected shot that at least had to be touched over by David de Gea. Then, five minutes later, De Gea passed the ball straight to him. Briefly the goal was empty but for some reason Joelinton chose to pass to Jonjo Shelvey who shot over. Joelinton is a centre forward who cost £40m.
There were some other promising moments that came to nothing on the back of a poor decision in possession or a failure to push enough bodies in to the right areas. And then, out of nothing, United scored a good goal.
Marcus Rashford was wide out on the left touchline when he received possession but Newcastle right-back Emil Krafth got himself far too close to him. This meant that when the United player pushed the ball through his marker’s legs, he was gone. Still Rashford had much to do as he cut back on to his right foot inside the area but his low shot was powerfully struck and too much for goalkeeper Karl Darlow at his post. It was a fine, ambitious finish.
Ahead unexpectedly, United did not immediately capitalise. A corner from the right was played short by Newcastle – a ploy that the home team seemed rather baffled by – and when the cross was half-cleared Allan Saint-Maximin crashed the ball down in to the ground and up over De Gea in to the roof of the net.
Should De Gea have come for the initial cross? Maybe. Did United generally look shaky in the air? Definitely. The upshot was that Newcastle had a foothold back in the game and continued to be the more dangerous team up until half-time and indeed up until the moment United restored their lead.
Solskjaer’s side had again offered absolutely nothing early in the second period. Saint-Maximin’s low volley from 18 yards – saved by De Gea – had been the only incident of note.
But Newcastle have a penchant for self-harm that could yet ruin them and when young Jamal Lewis let a hopeful Nemanja Matic pass deflect through his legs off the toe of Bruno Fernandes in the 57th minute, Daniel James was left free to crash the ball past Darlow from an angle.
That was one defensive mess too many for Newcastle and pretty soon their race – game as it had been – was run. Joe Willock may only be on loan from Arsenal but he has clearly caught the disaster bug and an absolutely unnecessary and rather witless foul on Rashford enabled Fernandes to score from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left.
After that United played nicely and missed a sudden glut of chances. But that meant very little. They will be lucky to finish second. Newcastle may yet be lucky to stay up.
Scroll down to see how it all unfolded with Sportsmail's live runner.
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Spencer Morgan Host commentator
Three minutes of added time.
James and Rashford are off. On comes Mata and 17-year-old Shola Shoretire for his debut.
A nice run by Shaw into the box on the left but his inviting ball across goal doesn't find anyone.
Close!
After a quick succession of corners, the best chance falls to the Manchester United captain - who sends his close-range header just wide of the post.
Two changes for Newcastle as Murphy and Gayle replace Almiron and Saint-Maximin.
Greenwood with his first effort on goal, striking wide from 25 yards.
Fernandes sends the keeper the wrong way. Cool as you like.
It's Rashford who wins it, drawing a foul from Willock in the box. It was only a slight touch but enough for him to go down.
Almost a chance for United as Fernandes flicks on a a corner at the near post but Maguire can't quite reach it at the back post. Fine margins.
Greenwood replaces Martial.
Another attempt from range as substitute Fraser hits one straight at De gea from 25 yards.
Almost a third for United as Martial latches on to a ball over the top but his touch is just a little too heavy and Darlow is able to come out and clear.
Rashford with a speculative effort this time. It's well hit from 25 yards but straight at the keeper.
Save!
Martial's been really quiet but he comes alive, skipping past a challenge on the right before firing a powerful rising strike which Darlow tips over the crossbar.
United lead!
Matic's recives the ball on the left hand side of the box and puts the ball across goal. It takes a slight touch off Fernandes and reaches James at the back post. He takes a touch before sweeping past the keeper confidently.
Joelinton has now succumbed to his back issue. He's replaced by Ryan Fraser.
The visitors have started the second half really positively, getting forward at every opportunity. Saint-Maximin has looked very lively on the left taking on defenders and opening up room for team-mates.
Save!
Great play from Saint-Maximin as he takes a lovely touch on the edge of the area and then forces a good low save from De Gea.
Shelvey with the first attempt of the half, slashing at a half volley 30 yards from goal.
Nowhere near.
Newcastle get us back underway.
It's level at the break.
Two minutes of added time.
more problems for Joelinton who's down holding his back again. he'll try an make it to half-time though.
Fred hits a sweet strike from outside the box but it's straight down Darlow's throat and he catches it well.
Joelinton is shown a yellow card for a foul on Shaw during a poor attempt to win back possession high up the pitch.
Heated scenes as Fernandes lashes out Hayden after a poor challenge.
Fred then gets involved and the two sets of players have to be separated.
Yellow cards for both men.
Newcastle equalise!
They take a corner-kick short to Hayden, who launches it to the far post from the corner of the 18-yard box. Maguire gets a header to the ball, but his clearance falls right to the foot of Saint-Maximin, who lashes it into the roof of the net.
Save!
Saint-Maximin lets fly from 25 yards and the dipping effort forces De Gea to dive and tip it over the crossbar.
Lovely play from Joelinton as he plays an inventive pass to put Krafth into space on the right.
The full-back makes his way to the box before seeing a low cross blocked.
Rashford gives United the lead!
It's a goal out of nothing as the Englishman shrugs off a challenge on the left wing before making his way into the box and managing to squeeze a low shot past Darlow at his near post.
Good play from the United man but the keeper shouldn't be beaten there.
Wan-Bissaka shows off some fancy footwork as he drifts in from the right before failing to catch a left footed effort cleanly.
United's attack is really lacking any spark so far.
Joelinton's fine to carry on. Meanwhile, it's his side that are looking the more likely to forge a real chance.
Almiron lets fly from 25 yards but doesn't get anywhere near enough power on it and it's a simple save.
Joelinton's struggling here. He's down and receiving treatment.
James drives towards the box again but is shot is closed down. Newcastle are looking very well organised.
James picks up the ball on the right and tries to put a low cross across goal but it's easily gathered by the goalkeeper.
Newcastle will be really happy with how the game is playing out so far. They're working really hard and it's paying off.
75% possession for the home side but it's the Magpies who have had all three of the game's shots.
A half chance for the visitors as a poor clearance allows Shelvey to have a pop from just outside the area but it's high and wide.
United's bright start hasn't lasted and they are looking somewhat nervous.
A bit of a naughty one from Joelinton as he leans into Maguire as the defender jumped to head the ball.
It causes the United man to fall awkwardly but fortunately no serious damage was caused.
Good save!
A headed clearance falls to Joelinton on the edge of the box and he hits on on the turn, the strike taking a deflection and forcing a finger-tip stop from De Gea.
Bright start from United, who have passed the ball confidently so far.
Rashford latches onto a ball on the left hand side of the box but can't quite manage to keep it in play.
United get us underway.
Daniel James makes his first Premier League start of the year as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes five changes to the Man Utd side which beat Real Sociedad 4-0 on Thursday.
Starting XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fred, James, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial.
Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Mata, Greenwood, Diallo, Telles, Williams, Tuanzebe, Shoretire.
One change for the visitors as Joelinton replaces Dwight Gayle in attack.
Starting XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Willock, Hayden, Shelvey, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin.
Subs: Dubravka, Dummett, Carroll, Ritchie, Gayle, Hendrick, Fraser, Murphy, S Longstaff.
And welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of Manchester United vs Newcastle.
Team news to follow with kick-off at 7pm.
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