In the early hours of December 31 (local time), Manchester United hosted Newcastle in Round 19 of the Premier League. In the first half, Alexander Isak and Joelinton both scored with headers, while Casemiro squandered a golden chance. Although United’s attack improved slightly in the second half—highlighted by Harry Maguire hitting the post—they still lost 0-2. The defeat marks four consecutive losses across all competitions, and they have now lost five of their last six league matches.
In the previous round, United fell to Wolves. The managerial change did not reverse their form, as new head coach Amorim has lost 5 of his 10 matches in charge across all competitions. He has also become the fastest manager in club history to lose four Premier League matches, and the team remains 14th in the standings—no better than when Erik ten Hag was dismissed. United’s hopes of finishing in the top four are fading, and even securing a top-six spot now looks challenging.
Back at Old Trafford for this match, United faced a Newcastle side that had won three consecutive league games without conceding a goal, climbing to fifth place. Historically, United had gone 11 straight years unbeaten at home to Newcastle in Premier League play.
For this game, head coach Amorim fielded a 4-4-2 formation with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund as the striking partnership. Marcus Rashford made the bench after missing four consecutive matches.
From kickoff, Newcastle focused their attacks down the left side, repeatedly slicing through United’s defense.
First Half Highlights
4th minute: Hall delivered a cross from the left, and Isak easily headed it in to give Newcastle a dream start at 1-0.
11th minute: Anthony Gordon cut in from the left past Mazraoui and pulled it back for Joelinton, whose left-footed shot went over the bar.
19th minute: Gordon sent in another cross from the left, and Joelinton rose above Lisandro to power in a header, extending Newcastle’s lead to 2-0.
Inside 20 minutes, Newcastle had launched three threatening moves down the left, scoring twice. United’s defense looked porous.
According to statistics, Manchester United have conceded 18 goals across all competitions in December alone—their worst defensive record in a single month since March 1964, equaling the club’s record for most goals conceded in one month. It’s also the seventh time since the start of 2023 that United have conceded a goal at Old Trafford within the first five minutes of a Premier League match.
27th minute: Kieran Trippier nearly scored directly from two consecutive corner kicks, with the ball narrowly missing the net.
31st minute: Isak rifled the ball home inside the box, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Also in the 31st minute, Newcastle produced a slick passing move ending with a shot that struck the post. United’s back line looked like one fighting relegation.
33rd minute: United made their first substitution. Head coach Amorim took off Zirkzee and brought on Mainoo.
45+2nd minute: After Mainoo won the ball up front, he laid it off to Casemiro, who was unmarked in the box but sent his shot wide. It was United’s best chance of the half, but they still went into the break trailing 0-2.
By halftime, the teams had roughly equal possession. However, United managed only 3 shots (none on target) and missed 2 scoring opportunities, while Newcastle had 11 shots (4 on target) and converted 2 of their 4 big chances.
Second Half Highlights
Manchester United’s attack improved somewhat after the restart.
60th minute: Maguire’s diving header struck the post, and De Ligt’s follow-up was blocked.
64th minute: United made two substitutions, bringing on Garnacho and Jorro in place of Casemiro and Martínez.
73rd minute: Jorro headed just wide from a corner.
81st minute: From a set piece, Højlund’s heavy first touch allowed the ball to be gathered by the goalkeeper.
In the end, United lost 0-2 at home, meaning they have been defeated in five of their last six league matches, including losses to Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves, and now Newcastle. The loss has also caused Manchester (United) to drop to sixth place, falling out of the European qualifying spots.
Lineups
Manchester United XI:
- (GK) 24 André Onana
- (RB) 3 Noussair Mazraoui
- (CB) 4 Matthijs de Ligt
- (CB) 5 Harry Maguire
- (CB) 6 Lisandro Martínez
- (RB) 20 Diogo Dalot
- (CM) 18 Casemiro
- (CM) 14 Christian Eriksen
- (RW) 16 Amad Diallo
- (FW) 11 Joshua Zirkzee
- (FW) 9 Rasmus Højlund
Newcastle XI:
- (GK) 1 Martin Dúbravka
- (RB) 2 Kieran Trippier
- (CB) 5 Fabian Schär
- (LB) 20 Lewis Hall
- (CB) 33 Dan Burn
- (CM) 8 Sandro Tonali
- (CM) 39 Bruno Guimarães
- (RW) 23 Jacob Murphy
- (CM/AM) 7 Joelinton
- (LW) 10 Anthony Gordon
- (FW) 14 Alexander Isak
