Toothless Toon beaten at Old Trafford - Something needs to be looked at with this team's menatlity
Newcastle United and Boxing Day are never a good combination anyway, but the Magpies could have kept playing until next Christmas and not scored.
Newcastle absolutely dominated for three quarters of the game at Old Trafford, but it was Manchester United who took the three points as Newcastle's inability to win away from home continues to be a massive problem.
A superb 24th-minute volley by Patrick Dorgu sealed the win for Ruben Amorim's side, but if anyone tells you it was what they deserved, they were lying.
Newcastle did switch off after the goal and completely lost their way for the remainder of the first half, but the first 24 minutes were all Newcastle, and the second half was entirely Newcastle.
How can a team dominate for three quarters of a game and have just two efforts on target?
However, despite total domination and a constant attacking presence for 53 minutes of the second half, there was never a genuine threat to Senne Lammens' goal.
Lewis Hall did strike the bar from distance, but that was as close as Newcastle ever got. It's absolutely embarrassing watching this team, made up almost entirely of international-standard players, completely unable to create chances.
Howe tried to mix things up, bringing on Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa, but nothing changed in terms of chances.
Someone give us a clue
At this point, I am completely out of ideas. I simply do not understand how a team can dominate so much for so long and not even register a meaningful shot on target.
Newcastle racked up 11 corners but only 13 shots, three more than Manchester United managed, and they barely touched the ball. Only two of those 13 shots were on target.
The PIF need to authorise some sort of mental spending spree in January. We are desperate for some actual creativity because this lot are completely out of ideas and fans are running out of patience.
