Chris Smalling's Man United career on the line and other things learned from Newcastle defeat

Here are three things we learned from the encounter.

SMALLING’S UNITED CAREER ON THE LINE

Chris Smalling has always gone through patches of good form over the course of his time at United but apart from one season under Louis van Gaal, has never seemed like a reliable option in the back-line.

The Englishman had a horrendous outing against Newcastle. After a clumsy handball, he was lucky not to concede penalty for a tackle just inside the area and went on to dive, yes dive, in his own half, handing the hosts a free-kick that led to the goal.

It’s now eight years since he arrived at Old Trafford but he’s still playing like someone who could maybe be a really good defender.

Phil Jones has been in great form this term but is injury prone while Eric Bailly, for all his great qualities, shares the Englishman’s affinity with the treatment table.

As a result, Jose Mourinho could well spend big on a centre-back in the summer, particularly after insisting there won’t be any new arrivals in attack. In that case, Smalling could be the one to make way, perhaps along with Daley Blind who has already become surplus to requirements.

UNITED’S MIDFIELD IN DIRE STRAITS

Nemanja Matic was drafted in over the summer in an effort to bring control and security to United’s engine room. To the Serbian’s credit, he did just that. Up to a point.

However, the defensive midfielder has notably gone off the boil a bit in the second-half of the season after being a permanent fixture in the starting eleven pretty much throughout the campaign.

He seems to be suffering from fatigue and needs a rest at some point. He was well off the pace in the first-half and was caught out by Newcastle’s energy in midfield on more than one occasion, although he gradually grew into the game and his defence-splitting pass created the best chance of the opening period for Anthony Martial.

Paul Pogba’s abysmal display on the other hand is a much bigger mystery. The Frenchman has all the attributes of a world class midfielder but hasn’t produced his best on a regular basis. Whether it’s down to him as an individual or the system he’s deployed in, United need him to come good.

Ander Herrera still remains out of favour with Mourinho, only making fleeting appearances while Scott McTominay can’t have too much thrown on him in his maiden campaign with the senior side.

With Michael Carrick expected to hang up his boots at the end of the season as well, perhaps Mourinho will have to invest in the midfield department again in the summer.

SECOND PLACE UP FOR GRABS

Manchester City are well out of sight and have the title all but sewn up while United have been leading the way among the rest.

However, after back-to-back away defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle, the Reds’ second spot in the table is in jeopardy. With a 2-0 win away to Southampton, Liverpool have moved to within two points of United.

Jurgen Klopp’s side appear to have momentum on their side as well while Tottenham fall into the same bracket.

After United’s performance on Sunday, it’s conceivable that they could be dragged into a fierce battle for a spot in the top four with Chelsea and Arsenal also fighting to keep pace.