Manchester United’s humbling 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park was perhaps a fitting microcosm of the club’s 2024/25 season.
Moments of brilliance were yet again drowned out by large periods defined by entirely avoidable errors and poor judgement.
Diogo Dalot fed Alejandro Garnacho to secure a somewhat undeserved first-half equaliser against a dominant Newcastle outfit.
There was a moment of near-perfection well before that, with Joshua Zirkzee showcasing some wonderful one-touch play to craft an early opportunity that came to no avail.
Noussair Mazraoui was poor against Newcastle
To be completely fair to Noussair Mazraoui, he was hardly alone in posting a diabolically poor defensive outing in the North East.
Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof were likewise culprits in what was an appalling (‘so bad’ in the words of Samuel Luckhurst on X) joint-showing from United’s three-man backline.
So poor from #MUFC defensively. Livramento went past Dalot like he wasn’t there, then Lindelof + Yoro somehow allow Barnes all the space he could want.
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) April 13, 2025
That might be checkmate. So bad from all three United centre backs. #mufc made a good fist of it for an hour but early second-half goal and raft of subs have restored normality.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 13, 2025
Statistically, however, the former Bayern Munich fullback was awarded the second-worst rating (5.8/10) on the pitch (and the worst rating in the defensive trio) behind goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.
Sofascore‘s full statistical breakdown of Mazraoui’s latest showing in the league won’t make for pretty viewing for Ruben Amorim or United fans:
- 37 touches
- 1 clearance
- 1 blocked shot
- Dribbled past once
- 1 error leading to a goal
- 4/5 ground duels won
- 1/4 aerial duels won
- 26/30 passes completed (87%)
Manchester United must address weak mentality
In fairness, it would be disingenuous of us to suggest this was a game of serious import to Ruben Amorim’s outfit.
The Premier League campaign has been dead and buried since the turn of the year, with our Europa League campaign instead taking centre stage. A win at home against Lyon would see United go through to the semi-finals of the competition.
Regardless, it’s still hard to overlook the weak mentality that allowed Newcastle to run the visitors ragged in the second half.
Alejandro Garnacho’s first-half equaliser should have been an opportunity for us to show some willpower and resilience in one of the most difficult grounds in the Premier League.
An opportunity for players with question marks over their heads to prove that they should remain at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.
A 4-1 hammering at St James Park proves that the inquest should only intensify ahead of the season end.
Just sack Amorim, since his back 3. system will never bring trophies to United, it’s Chrystal clear this squad is doomed with this system, since Amorim refuses to adapt just sack him now, we will never win the Europa League with this stupid back 3. system
That’s very wrong, you can’t judge Amorim now, United has to be patient with him, this season is over, he needs to get his own players that can give him what he want.
Ferguson was like this before things turn out to be good.
You are right. Van Gaal tried it and did not work
Totally agree. EPL is just no good for a 3-4 -2-1 sustem Will only work in weak games and competitions. The worst part is his inwilling to adapt to give Man U cance to win. Go back to Portugal because it is clear no other country wanted him
The biggest culprit for the defeat is Amorim. His back 3 has not worked in every match but he sticks to it. All 4 of Newcastle’s goals resulted from MU trying to play out from the back. This MU’s biggest waekness and all teams know that and captalise on it. Amorim appears to be the only one unaware of that. So every game MU goes on with it. SACK AMORIM AND THEN REBUILD.
It needs a Radical new think, The Academy brings players through from an early age using various coaches and various systems. The under twenty one Academy coaches should take first team training and coaching with a figure head who mentors not manages. United should dictate the style of play not a manager who is going to be there one day and gone the next. They are falling into the same trap as they did with ten Hag by allowing one man to dictate from his myopic point of view. United should have players who fit their systems and a manager too who mentors coaches who bring players through the Academy. The only way to produce continuity without disrupting the whole squad every 2 or 3 years. Amorim is not suitable but then again neither are the board or Ratcliffe.
A Player can have an off day 3 all at the back on the same day and you have to look elsewhere for cause. In this case the Manager, his coaches, his system, the Board and the owners who have had long enough to get the right man in. Ratcliffe is just another failed part owner and the Glazers are only interested in what United can do for them, the Glory of money.
You say ‘get the right man in’, but that’s easier said than done. I thought Ten Hag was the right man, and then I thought Amorim was – he might still be.
The problem for Ineos is: do they stick or twist? Look for yet another Manager now and hope it finally works, or stick with Amorim and hope that, with the new players he wants, he can get his system working.
The risk with that, of course, is several millions pounds later Amorim hasn’t put together a winning squad and gets the boot. We again have a new Manager looking at the Squad and saying ‘ this lot are crap, I need new players’ And so it goes on. For what’s it’s worth, I think we should stick with Amorim for another Season, but keep young McKenna on high alert.
Aren’t we all forgetting that sitting behind RA were 4 coaches who are paid good money (RA gets £6 1/2 million) to take training, tactical, coaching of the squad.
They have a goalkeeping coach (he’s not earning his money) a set piece coach (he’s not earning his money) a tactical coach (he’s definitely not earning his corn) and an attacking coach (minus 7 goals difference so he’s not earning his corn) and as for the defensive coach (sack him last week)
So there you go what chance have the supporters got of watching an entertain, exciting, goal scoring, attacking team with those 5 in charge.