Newcastle United huffed and puffed against Manchester United without actually scoring and pundit Roy Keane wasn’t impressed.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side dominated large parts of the second half but, ultimately, Newcastle United lost 1-0 to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
It was a patched-up Red Devils team missing influential captain Bruno Fernandes, as well as the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo.
Who was Newcastle United’s WORST player against Manchester United?
While it’s not as if Newcastle United were dreadful at Old Trafford, they hardly ever looked like scoring.
There were a few half-chances they should probably have done better with, but the fact is that they have scored only seven goals in nine away Premier League games this season.
Only Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Wolves have scored fewer. It is a worrying trend and one that can’t be masked by 45 minutes of trying – and failing – to break the hosts down.
Watching on, former Manchester United great Keane wasn’t impressed.
Roy Keane says Newcastle United simply aren’t good enough
Those who choose to take the positives from the performance are well within their rights.
Certainly, it would be wrong to suggest that Howe’s side were blown away and they were perhaps unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty.
However, their lack of cutting edge has been all too obvious on the road this season and Keane certainly paid mention to it after the game.
“Newcastle did not show enough quality,” he said on Sky Sports.
“Final pass and decision making. Not good enough.”
Well, that wasn’t very Christmassy 😡 Should Aaron Ramsdale have done better here?!
Clearance from Nick Woltemade wasn't great either…
If Newcastle United lose their next away game, crisis will set in
Next week, Newcastle will sign off the best year of their recent history for their final game of 2025.
Howe takes his side to Burnley on Tuesday, knowing a defeat there would be a miserable way to end a brilliant 12 months.
In fact, given the fact the Clarets look bound for relegation as things stand, a loss would see crisis set in.
Howe wants more from his Newcastle team in an attacking sense in away matches and the trip to Turf Moor will be one his side are expected to dominate.
Little about this team right now would make anybody certain they can do that.
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