Ruben Amorim’s view of Newcastle United’s defeat to Manchester United is interesting.
Some may view Newcastle United’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Boxing Day in a reasonably positive light.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side dominated the second half at Old Trafford and were perhaps unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty.
Still, for others, it’s difficult to take that one result in isolation.
Finish this sentence, the worst thing about Newcastle’s loss to Man United was _
Newcastle have been dreadful away from home for months now and arguably very rarely looked like scoring against a patched-up Red Devils side.
Those who are frustrated are certainly within their rights to be. One half of football against an unconvincing side that didn’t result in a goal is hardly a salve to many wounds.
As such, Amorim’s comments on the game surely won’t make many supporters feel any better about it.
Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United did not play well against Newcastle United
It wasn’t a brilliant game.
The hosts did look dangerous through the likes of Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu in the first half and took the lead through the latter’s superb volley.
Still, after Mason Mount went off at half time, Amorim’s side ceded possession and were reduced to defending.
Benjamin Sesko did have a chance where he hit the bar after sloppy play from Newcastle but the Manchester giants did not carry much threat.
Amorim admitted as much after the game.
“We had to suffer, all together, in the stadium and in the game,” he said during his post-match press conference.
I’m fed up of hearing that Newcastle United are on the right track this season – prove me wrong! 🤔
“It was really difficult for us. We did good in the first half but, in the second half, we just defend and try to do something with Cunha.
“We had our opportunities with transitions but it was a good win. I had so many games here, saying we played really well but didn’t get the three points. Today was the opposite. We suffered together and managed to win the game.”
That does suggest that even the victors conceded that Newcastle had the better of it towards the end of the game, yet they still couldn’t find a way through.
Only three teams in the Premier League to date have conceded more goals at home than Manchester United (12 in nine games). Still, when reduced to purely defending, Newcastle couldn’t even muster a convincing chance.
A draw would arguably have been a fair result but, again, it’s hard to look past just this one game.
Newcastle weren’t good enough against Manchester United and that is purely their own fault. It has sadly been the case for almost every away game since April.
Newcastle United’s next game could be season-defining
The next game in Newcastle United’s fixture schedule is massive.
On paper, a trip to Turf Moor is hardly one to get the juices flowing, with all due respect to the Clarets.
Still, it will tell us so much about this Newcastle team.
They are struggling to break teams down, so a game in which they will be expected to dominate possession will be interesting.
Losing to a superb strike in a tight game is one thing. Going to a Burnley side who look bound for the Championship and struggling would be another matter entirely.
So little about the away form since April would suggest Newcastle will turn up and win a game they really should be taking all three points from.
If they lose that – which cannot be ruled out – then major questions must be asked.
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