Manchester United’s prime 4 hopefuls have been dealt a blow on Sunday afternoon, with Erik ten Hag’s males sliding to a 2-0 defeat in opposition to Newcastle United to make sure they have been right down to only one level. forward of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place.
Whereas the Pink Devils at the moment have a sport in progress in opposition to the north London facet – who face struggling Everton tonight – the priority for United will probably be their latest spotty type within the prime flight, having now gained simply three of their final 9 video games within the competitors.
Regardless of all of the positivity that has surrounded Previous Trafford because of the continued success of the cup competitions, the membership’s league type has deteriorated of late, with Ten Hag’s facet notably shedding on the street to a elite opposition this season.
Whereas yesterday’s show might not have been as bleak because the 6-3 and 7-0 thrashings by the hands of Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool respectively, it was one other actual”with out lifeguests’ efficiency at St James’ Park, in accordance with Manchester Night Information reporter Samuel Luckhurst.
In fact, the Carabao Cup winners have been largely thanked by the heroism of David De Gea within the sticks for protecting the scoreline respectable, the long-serving Spaniard making an excellent double save within the first half, earlier than additionally swing an effort on the crossbar late.
That being stated, nonetheless, the 32-year-old was considerably responsible within the Magpies’ opener after taking part in nervously from the again because the opposing workforce might not have been in a position to dwell with the strain in opposition to the unrestrained outfit by Eddie Howe.
Apart from De Gea, the one participant to actually come out of Tyneside with a financial institution mortgage was defender Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentine laborious sort out producing one more “top notchefficiency at centre-back, in accordance with Statman Dave.
How did Martinez carry out in opposition to Newcastle?
World Cup-winning ‘The Animal’ – hailed by compatriot Emi Martinez – was as soon as once more a usually tenacious, rock-solid presence within the coronary heart of the backline regardless of the hosts’ continued onslaught, together with standing to make a pleasant block within the opening interval to disclaim Alexander Isak.
On a day when his team-mates largely withered within the cauldron at St James’ Park, Martinez was ‘one of many few to appear like themselves’, in accordance with Luckhurst, along with his 7.4 match score , in accordance with Sofascore, by far the very best. of certainly one of his unique colleagues.
The 25-year-old has gained six of his ten duels in complete as a marker of his need to attempt to preserve Newcastle at bay, having additionally been dribbled previous on only one event and made 4 tackles for instance his unflappable defensive prowess.
As the previous Ajax man misplaced possession 9 instances, he recurrently appeared to unleash a deep assault for his facet, displaying his innate composure on the ball by finishing 4 of his six lengthy balls and making 4 passes within the last third. .
The £120,000-a-week machine could also be small in stature, however he was as soon as once more above his teammates, with Ten Hag in all probability hoping he had extra gamers who possess the ‘character’ and the ‘ character” of Martinez, because the Dutchman himself has already praised.
On a day when it appeared like the house facet ‘simply needed extra’ – in accordance with Luke Shaw – the 5ft 10 ace was one of many few to indicate up for the combat certainly, therefore the participant’s bewilderment himself. and supporters to see it eliminated late.
