Newcastle 1-0 Man United: Talking points as Steve Bruce earns respite and visitors sink

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  • Debutant Matthew Longstaff produced a superb second-half goal to breathe life into Newcastle United’s season and extend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s torment at appalling Manchester United.

    The rudderless hosts had been battered 5-0 last weekend by Leicester City. They were, however, rarely troubled by injury depleted and toothless visitors on their way to a deserved 1-0 triumph that took them out of the drop zone.

    Longstaff, the 19-year-old brother of Reds Devils target and fellow centre midfielder Sean, rattled the crossbar in the first half. He made no mistake after the break, producing a punishing first-time finish that found the bottom corner after a sweeping counter-attack.

    Solskjaer’s men hardly threatened, even with 69-per-cent possession, on their way to an 11th-straight winless match on the road. Their best chance of a painful contest came before the break when England centre-back Harry Maguire headed an Ashley Young corner wide from point-blank range.

    Here are the talking points from St. James’ Park:

    PLAYING A TOON

    It takes something truly egregious for morale to sink further at Mike Ashley’s Newcastle.

    But the torrid events at King Power Stadium did just that. This result, then, was a timely retort to manager Steve Bruce’s voluble and unrelenting critics in his 400th match as a Premier League manager.

    In truth, and the same could also be said for Crystal Palace and West Ham United, the previously moribund Magpies didn’t even need to be at their best to swat this damned United aside.

    Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunday conquerors of champions Manchester City, on current form will provide far-sterner opponents.

    The wistful expression on manager Steve Bruce’s face at full-time may have been in recognition of a fleeting moment of joy within an enduring soap opera.

    Or it could have been a nod to the nadir the club he represented with such distinction finds themselves in…

    REAL RELEGATION FODDER?

    A ruinous disconnect defines this shameful United.

    From asset-stripping owners to the over-promoted stooge they persist with, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, to run a malfunctioning football club.

    Then there is Solskjaer, whose standing as a club legend gloriously earned as a player can no longer mask endemic faults as a manager. His side is staccato in attack, ill-suited to a disjointed 4-2-3-1 formation and always generous in defence.

    The division’s most generously remunerated squad is, implausibly, unbalanced and bereft of quality. It also had the most money spent on it last summer, before sales.

    Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof were among those missing on Sunday. But they were present before – and results were similarly scandalous.

    This roster now finds itself level on points with promoted Sheffield United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Plus, only two points outside the relegation zone with eight games played.

    Disinterested England striker Marcus Rashford had the least touches of any starter (21) from both sides. Defunct playmaker Juan Mata has now registered 408 minutes in 2019/20 without ever threatening a goal or assist.

    They last started this badly in 1989/90 and finished 13th. But ample evidence exists to suggest 2019/20 could become even worse.

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