Man United ended a 2024 to forget with a fourth consecutive defeat as Newcastle cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford to intensify the scrutiny on Red Devils’ boss Ruben Amorim.
Just two months into his tenure, Amorim conceded this week that his job is on the line unless results begin to improve.
The Portuguese has won just two of his first nine league games to leave United languishing down in 14th, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted the Magpies into fifth.
Amorim stood aghast at what he was witnessing in the first half as Newcastle cut through the home side at will.
Just over three minutes were on the clock when Isak was afforded space inside the six-yard box to head in Lewis Hall’s cross and score for the sixth consecutive Premier League game.
United badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes as the Newcastle midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton played around the ageing duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.
Isak blew a huge chance to double the visitors’ lead when he fluffed an attempted dink over Andre Onana and the Swedish striker also had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, it was just a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Joelinton burst in to meet Anthony Gordon’s cross.
Amorim responded by replacing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes – a move greeted with cheers by the frustrated Old Trafford crowd.
Tonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defence.
However, Eddie Howe’s men nearly gifted the Red Devils a route back into the game before half-time.
Rasmus Hojlund missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back when the Dane fired wide with just Martin Dubravka to beat.
Casemiro then wasted an even better opportunity after Fabian Schar presented possession to Mainoo.
Amorim’s half-time pep talk did at least muster some response as United began the second half far better.
Harry Maguire’s header came back off the post before Hall blocked De Ligt’s goalbound follow-up effort.
Marcus Rashford had been restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Amorim turned to another outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make a difference.
But the Argentine international was introduced just as Newcastle had ridden the storm and began to assert their control once more.
A third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979 is the latest in the list of sorry statistics that have marked United’s decade of decline.
The fear for Amorim is that the losing run only looks set to continue into 2025.
A daunting trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday before United travel to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.
Elsewhere, Liam Delap’s stellar performance propelled Ipswich Town to their first home victory of the season, further denting Chelsea Premier League title ambitions.
The 21-year-old striker opened the scoring with a composed 12th-minute penalty, awarded after VAR determined goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made sufficient contact as Delap surged past him.
Delap’s influence extended beyond his goal, as he intercepted a loose back pass from Axel Disasi to set up Omari Hutchinson, who doubled Ipswich’s lead eight minutes into the second half.
Hutchinson, a former Chelsea winger, capitalized brilliantly on the opportunity.
Despite dominating possession, Chelsea struggled to convert their chances and saw a Joao Felix equalizer ruled out by VAR following a lengthy offside review.
The defeat compounds Chelsea’s woes, marking back-to-back losses after their recent goalless draw at Everton ended an eight-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Ipswich’s crucial win lifts them out of the relegation zone, moving above Leicester City into 18th place and within a point of Wolves.
Meanwhile, Blues’ title aspirations appear increasingly tenuous, as they now trail league leaders Liverpool by 10 points, with the Reds holding a game in hand under manager Arne Slot’s leadership.
AFP
