One 8/10, a few 4s and Howe’s mark - Newcastle ratings from Man Utd defeat
A tough watch at Old Trafford as Newcastle had plenty of possession but zero cutting edge in a 1-0 defeat to Man Utd last night.
Here are our marks out of 10 and comments on each player involved in the game:
Starting 11
Ramsdale (5) - Will feel like he could’ve done better with the goal. Worryingly low save % compared to Pope this season could force Howe into a change in goal with Pope back to fitness.
Miley (7) - Making a good fist of right back and has a maturity in possession that belies his age. Was one of the better performers at Old Trafford and aside from one moment where Cunha breezed past him he handled his defensive responsibilities well.
Thiaw (6) - Was one of his less eye catching displays but didn’t really do too much wrong aside from an air swing in the second half which could’ve ended badly had a Man Utd player gambled. Typically tidy in possession but wasn’t his usual threat from set pieces.
Schar (4) - Very wasteful in possession as his passing radar deserted him. In the first half when we struggled to get a foothold, we really needed the “experienced” Schar to maintain possession but we got the “Hollywood” Schar spraying 60 yard passes nowhere near a teammate.
Hall (8) - Unlucky not to continue his scoring run against Man Utd with a rasping shot that rattled the cross bar. Showcased his dribbling ability on several occasions and was easily the most impressive player in black and white.
Ramsey (4) - It looked like he was starting to find some form and then he has another poor performance today. Lost Dorgu completely for the goal and tripped over fresh air in the second half when in a great shooting position.
Guimaraes (6) - Anonymous in the first half but better in the second, coming into the game more when Tonali exited. Seems to be a bit of a pattern developing where he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck when he’s the main man. With Tonali alongside him he seems to take more of a backseat.
Tonali (5) - Started brightly and whipped in some decent corners but faded out of the game as the half wore on. Is someway short of his best and needs to recapture his form soon. Fixture congestion isn’t helping his cause.
Murphy (5.5) - Sent over plenty of crosses but couldn’t find a teammate. Looks lost when he receives the ball outside of the final third as he isn’t particularly great at dribbling or passing! Could find his position under pressure from Barnes.
Gordon (4) - Bit bewildered by Eddie’s comment that he played well as he was definitely direct but the lack of end product is seriously concerning. Blazed a chance over late on as he approaches 12 months since his last Premier League goal in open play. Had a chance but skewed his shot wide of the far post.
Woltemade (4.5) - Starved of anything remotely resembling decent service, but his movement in the box wasn’t good enough either. Dropped way too deep just to get involved and his link play wasn’t great. Crying out for a striker to play alongside him.
Substitutes
Wissa (5) - A player who likes to run in behind is never going to have much success against a low block. Great leap but rarely touched the ball in the box.
Joelinton (6) - Actually looked decent when he came on and took up some great attacking positions. Could be pushing for Ramsey’s spot.
Barnes (6.5) - Bright appearance off the bench as he set up a great chance for Gordon late on.
Willock (5) - Offered very little in the closing stages.
The manager
Howe (4) - Was outcoached by Amorim. For the first time we say Amorim change his shape and it seemed to catch up off guard as we were hopeless in the first half. Also, his inability to move to a plan B is starting to become a big issue. This game was crying out for a change tactically as Man Utd dropped into a low block but the triple substitution was purely like for like. Why not try Woltemade in behind Wissa? Give the defence something different to think about and give us an extra dimension in attack.
