Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Player ratings: Two Newcastle men excel in old-school St James’ display; Man Utd thankful to often criticised star

Allan Saint-Maximin Newcastle v Man Utd

Edinson Cavani rescued a woeful Manchester United as they earned a 1-1 draw with a much-improved Newcastle side at St James’ Park in the Premier League on Monday Night Football.

The home side needed just seven minutes to force their way in front when Sean Longstaff fed Allan Saint-Maximin and he cut in past Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire on to his right foot to steer a shot past the helpless David De Gea.

Callum Wilson had to leave the pitch to be replaced by Murphy in first-half stoppage time after being caught from behind, but his side made it to the break with their lead intact.

United finally forced their way back on to level terms with 19 minutes remaining when half-time substitute Edinson Cavani saw his initial shot blocked, but managed to stab the rebound past Martin Dubravka.

Newcastle were unlucky not to take the lead late on when Jacob Murphy struck the woodwork and then Miguel Almiron’s follow-up was brilliantly tipped over by De Gea.

Newcastle (4-4-2)

Martin Dubravka: Late error almost cost his side a point but largely untroubled before that. 6/10

Emil Krafth: Solid performance, although given more to think about when Rashford switched to the left in the second-half. Booked. 6

Fabian Schar: Strong performance alongside Lascelles, although benefitted from the visitors being so woeful in attack. 7

Jamaal Lascelles: Put himself about, as usual, and led the side well. Cleared a Cavani effort off the line after some miscommunication with Dubravka. 7

Javier Manquillo: Part of a strong left-sided performance from Newcastle, doubling up well with Saint-Maximin. 7

Ryan Fraser: A real bundle of energy but his final ball was often found wanting. Subbed. 6

Jonjo Shelvey: Caught out in possession early on but his passing was impressive and looked to drive Newcastle on. Tired late in the game as  7

Sean Longstaff: Put in a shift in midfield as Eddie Howe’s men got the better of that department, although he did tire late on. 7

Joelinton: Curling effort drifted wide early on but caused the visitors all sorts of problems with his endless workrate and movement. Certainly not the same player as last season. Booked. 8

Maverick Saint-Maximin shines again

Allan Saint-Maximin: Superb finish to gave the home side an early lead and was a constant threat to the Red Devils. Missed a great chance to make it 2-0 and could have had a hat-trick on another day. Suffered a nasty-looking knee injury late on and taken off. 8

Callum Wilson: Lively first half but forced off just before the break with what looked like a calf injury. 7

Substitutes:

Jacob Murphy (on for Wilson, 45): Put in a decent shift down the left after replacing Wilson just before the break. So unlucky to see an effort rattle off the post with minutes to go. 7

Miguel Almiron (on for Fraser, 75): Not really involved until he forced De Gea into a brilliant fingertip save. 6

Dwight Gayle (on for Saint-Maximin, 84): N/A

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Man Utd (4-2-2-2)

David De Gea: Smart stop to keep out Shelvey piledriver and produced a superb reaction save to stop Saint-Maximin doubling Newcastle’s lead. Kept United in the game and produced another brilliant stop to deny Almiron late on. 8/10

Diogo Dalot: Tried to give United an outlet on the right but delivery often left wanting. Was given a tough night by the maverick Saint-Maximin. 5

Raphael Varane: Caught in possession to gift Newcastle their opener after just seven minutes and looked far from an international veteran. 4

Harry Maguire: Early mistake almost cost United and was nervy throughout as Newcastle put the England man under constant pressure. Booked. 4

Alex Telles: Probably the best of United’s back four on the night, but that’s not something to brag about on a poor night. 5

Scott McTominay: Improved after the break after a terrible first half. 6

Rangnick rings changes after woeful United display

Fred: Woeful in possession and surely had one of the worst halves of his United career. Taken off at the break. 4

Bruno Fernandes: Grew frustrated as a shocking United first-half display left him with little chance to impress. Got on the ball more in the second period but still quiet by his standards. 5

Mason Greenwood: Hardly a touch as the visitors struggled in and out of possession. Hooked at half-time. 4

Cristiano Ronaldo: Made plenty of good runs in the first half but left throwing his arms in the arm on numerous occasions as United’s final ball was often misplaced. A frustrating night for the United legend. Booked. 5

Marcus Rashford: Had a woeful opening period, like the rest of his United teammates. Showed more intent at the start of the second with a dipping drive pushed over by Dubravka and the best of United’s disappointing attackers. 6

Substitutes:

Jadon Sancho (on for Fred, 45): Guilty of losing the ball too often and delivery often misplaced. 5

Edinson Cavani (on for Greenwood, 45): Miskicked a good chance to draw United level 10 minutes after the break. Did find the equaliser though with 20 minutes to go with a well-directed effort after his first shot was blocked. 7

Nemanja Matic (on for McTominay, 78): N/A

Manchester United David De Gea Joelinton Allan Saint-Maximin

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