Manchester United saw off Newcastle United to seal a much-needed 3-2 win at Old Trafford. A see-saw game saw the Red Devils deliver their best performance in weeks, but not without some scary moments along the way. Here are five things we learnt from a pulsating clash in the race for Europe.
Fernandes Stars As Erik ten Hag’s Side Stake Claim For Europe
Signing off at Old Trafford with three points 🫡#MUFC || #MUNNEW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2024
Five Things We Learnt: Bruno Fernandes Is The Glue That Holds The Team Together
Having missed the last two fixtures with injury and having to watch two terrible performances from the sidelines, the Portuguese international returned to action and produced a sparkling performance, a wonderful flick to Mainoo providing the assist for the opening goal. United with Fernandes and without Fernandes are two different teams and the attacking midfielder should be considered untouchable when it comes to the inevitable summer overhaul at Old Trafford.
Five Things We Learnt: Amad Has A Big Future, Hopefully At Old Trafford
Frustrated with his lack of game time earlier in the season, the Ivorian’s season turned on scoring a dramatic winner in the FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool, the former Atalanta man now showcasing the talent that prompted the club to pay £19 million back in 2021.
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Dynamic, skilful and always wanting the ball, he is certainly showing more potential than Antony, the man he has displaced from the team. One of the team’s best players against Newcastle, he capped his performance with a brilliantly taken goal to put the Red Devils 2-1 up.
Amad’s game by numbers vs. Newcastle:
22 passes completed
5 duels won
4 shots (most)
2/3 dribbles completed
2 chance created
1 assist
1 goalAmad has arrived. 🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/Mo12Bo3aSX
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 15, 2024
Five Things We Learnt: Sofyan Amrabat: Too Little Too Late
Moroccan international Amrabat has endured a torrid season on loan at Old Trafford, struggling to impose himself in midfield or at times when he has filled in at left-back. Tonight, however, the World Cup semi-finalist put in a much better performance alongside Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park, making a number of crucial interventions to stop Newcastle attacks and supporting the under-fire Casemiro against the opposition’s pace and threat.
Sofyan Amrabat’s game by numbers vs. Newcastle:
100% final third pass accuracy
93% pass accuracy
40 passes completed
3 clearances
2 long passes completed
1 tackle won
1 key passIncredible tackle on Isak. 🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/LeHyvzHsXA
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 15, 2024
Five Things We Learnt: United At Their Best (And Worst) Amid The Chaos
It is this type of game that brings out both the best and worst of Ten Hag’s side, playing into both their strength in the transition as well as their weakness when counter-attacked upon, especially when there is a lack of availability of first-choice defenders to provide cover and mobility.
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This is yet another example, like the 4-3 cup triumph over Liverpool or indeed the team’s disastrous Champions League campaign, of games that could have gone either way due to the chaotic nature of the play.
Five Things We Learnt: Final Home Game Of The Season And Shoots Of Promise For The Cup Final
It has been an extremely difficult season for the Red Devils, with 7th place now the highest league position attainable for Ten Hag’s side. The Premier League season will conclude with a trip to out-of-form Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, followed by a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 25. Tonight’s game has provided reasons for hope that the team can at least sign off with some silverware, even if the prospect of facing the Manchester City juggernaut is a daunting one.
