Alan Shearer will still be revelling in Newcastle United’s 1-0 win over Manchester United last night – the first time they’ve managed back-to-back league wins over the Reds since 1972.
Countless aspects of United’s performance can be picked apart and analysed as ultimately, they were just woeful.
It was perhaps even one of their worst performances of the season, which is ironic to say the scoreline was as narrow as it was. Erik ten Hag’s side were thoroughly dominated across the pitch from the first blow of the whistle; Newcastle registered 22 shots (four on target) to United’s eight (one on target), finished the game with more possession and completed more passes – with a higher accuracy, too (83 per cent).
The result left the Magpies in fifth place and United in seventh, though they could finish the matchweek in eighth if Brighton and Hove Albion overturn Chelsea this afternoon.
Shearer’s criticism of United
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer weighed in on the clash.
“They [Newcastle] absolutely battered Man United in wide areas,” he said, as cited by The Mirror. “[Kieran] Trippier and [Tino] Livramento were sensational against [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka and [Diogo] Dalot.
“In their defence, they got no help whatsoever from [Alejandro] Garnacho and [Marcus] Rashford. Rashford didn’t look at it at all – didn’t look interested. It happened so many times. Newcastle created so many chances and they should have had many goals.
“For me, there are too many bad eggs in that Man United team. Too many bad attitudes. It’s alright when things are going well for you, you can get your feet on the ball, play and pick your head up when things are nice and rosy.
“When it’s not going for you, when you’re a bit tired and you’ve got to roll your sleeves up, there are not enough characters in that team.”