A substantial 16 days on from their last outing, United travelled to St James' Park on Monday night having overcome some serious Covid-19 related issues. As a result of postponements of matches against Brentford and Brighton, Ralf Rangnick's men found themselves facing the bottom two sides in the Premier League in consecutive matches.
Since United faced Norwich on the 11th December, Newcastle had played three matches - losing each one of them as their run of only a single win this season prolonging. Would it be a tale of United's freshness, or would Newcastle gain avail from being within more of a rhythm?
Rangnick could afford to implement a more or less unchanged starting team, with only the two alterations. Raphael Varane slotted alongside Harry Maguire for his first appearance since October, with Victor Lindelof totally absent having tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday; given the chest issues suffered against Norwich, it's a concern to hear that the Swede has contracted the virus.
Elsewhere, Mason Greenwood replaced Jadon Sancho, begging more of a question as to the possible setup. Rangnick had options at his disposal with the team he opted for, with Greenwood able to operate both in a front two and in a wider role, offering possible interchangeability with Marcus Rashford.
The lack of many changes meant both Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles kept their starting spots, with Scott McTominay and Fred maintained in midfield. Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo made up the attacking numbers once more. Returning to the bench, Edinson Cavani was waiting eagerly in the wings.
Eric Bailly was wholly absent having been granted permission to travel to the Ivory Coast in preparation for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, with Jesse Lingard omitted without explanation. Anthony Martial, who looks on his way out of the club, was another left out.
Newcastle appeared the side more troubled by Covid-19, with Eddie Howe reporting that their preparations had been marred by positive results in the day leading up to the match. The hosts' numbers were unhelpfully diminished.
United had to hit the ground running after such a period without a match, with the trip to Tyneside almost exuding the feeling of a fresh season. Given the form of top four rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, it was imperative for Rangnick that he didn't allow his side to fall adrift of the competition. Despite having a game in hand, victory would see United leapfrog a West Ham side enduring a rougher patch.
It's fair to say - as has frequently been the case - United didn't quite hit the ground running as such. An early Maguire mishap allowed Ryan Fraser on his way, with the returning Varane making up for his partner's difficulties by clearing up from the Newcastle man's ball across.
The start was shaky from the away side. Despite making an early intervention, it didn't take long for Varane to show his rust after his extended recent layoff, with the Frenchman the next to be caught out. The experienced centre back missed the initial header, finding himself subsequently dispossessed when attempting to turn having regained some control of the ball. Sean Longstaff promptly played Allan Saint-Maximin into space, with the tricky wide man producing some trademark trickery to deceive both Dalot and Maguire and navigate a tight area. The ultimate finish was unstoppable, with David de Gea rooted as the ball found the top corner.
Once again, United were behind due to an error, conjunct with some suspect defending from a defensively line in complete disarray. Saint-Maximin should never have been allowed to wriggle through such a confined space, with one of the many bodies really expected to produce a block. The disorganisation was staggering.
Newcastle did have that vital rhythm, with United not looking all that fresh for their break. Rangnick's side looked nervy at times, unable to hold the ball as too many passes surged wayward. The home side were coming out in front in the majority of contests, consequently finding themselves on the front foot and dominating proceedings. As a result of their sloppiness, United were being bombarded. Rangnick's side looked very out of sync, lacking cohesion from the defence forwards.
Despite the extended break allowing time for some development, signs of improvement were minimal. As at Carrow Road, and throughout the season to be frank, United looked disjointed and majorly pedestrian. There were no signs of Rangnick's intended high intensity approach, suggesting a possible struggle for the players to adopt a new ethos so instantaneously.
Against one of the league's worst attacks, the defence looked frail. Against the league's definitively most frail defence, the United attack were offering nothing whatsoever.
There was a distinct lack of wholesale quality, exacerbated by the minimalistic tempo from a visiting standpoint. Where was the press? It has gradually disappeared rather than grow more prevalent. The only indications were the persistent chases of lost causes.
Since the bounce in the first half hour against Crystal Palace, there have been clear signs of regression entering the forefront of the picture. Rangnick was remaining true to his favoured 4222 formation, though the shape was proving more and more dysfunctional. In all segments of the setup, the positioning of the majority was verging on shambolic. McTominay and Fred were being dominated and overrun in the middle, with no alternative support from the front unit leaving the defence exposed. On the flip side of things, the pair were offering very little in progression. The lynchpins were hardly functioning, damaging the entire system.
From an offensive perspective, the lack of width amidst the front four was only causing internal congestion and minimising the number of outlets. Fernandes found himself restricted, entitled to less freedom in more of a fixed pair. The best creative outlet was being severely limited. It was becoming clearer and clearer that such system is far from the best way in which to utilise the vast variety of options.
United were playing with extreme frustration, and almost desperation, after going behind. The body language was never right and this was proving a real hindrance.
It will undoubtedly have been of concern to Rangnick that his side were failing to create many chances, with Newcastle unusually in cruise control defensively. The reds' use of the ball was continually abysmal, with no authority asserted on proceedings. The German manager was certainly not overseeing any of the control that he much desires from his team.
Even though opportunities were limited, the attack were not helping themselves. As aforementioned, Fernandes was becoming increasingly restricted within the adopted system (but was nonetheless lacklustre). Rashford's rough patch of form was continuing, with his confidence looking completely shot and gravely damaging his final product. If anything, Rashford was causing a number of attacks to break down; let's be honest, though, his reintegration after a year marred by injuries and summer surgery was never going to be completely straightforward. As for the front two, they were all but passengers.
For a split second, Newcastle thought they were two-up. Again, timid defending allowed Saint-Maximin to nimbly drift through a congested area. The ball was bundled to Callum Wilson to finish, but the striker was flagged offside. United were being tested whilst hardly offering a test themselves. To reiterate, they were being outplayed by a side rock bottom of the Premier League table.
First half positives? Simple. None.
It was imperative that United improved a number of aspects heading into the second period, ranging from gaining more systematic balance to developing their urgency. No matter allusions of rust after over half-a-month without a match, there could never be any excuses for failing to execute the mere basics of the game. The first 45 minutes saw the players' focus absolutely nowhere, with too much moaning and whinging ongoing.
It was a worrying half, with the same group that caused Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to lose his job still underperforming. The onus was becoming more and more on those on the pitch.
There were two much needed half time alterations, but those replaced made for some curiosity. Cavani returned to the fray, whilst Jadon Sancho was also introduced. Making way, however, were Greenwood and Fred. The former switch made sense given that Cavani would slot alongside Ronaldo, however the latter meant one of only two midfielders was sacrificed in place of another attacking body.
As anticipated, a shape change did occur. It was an unusual setup. McTominay, as the only player established to play within a pivot, was completely alone and mostly unsupported in a sole deep-lying midfield role. Fernandes seemed to be tasked with more defensive responsibility, but his situation ahead of McTominay left the Scotsman isolated in a role that he is hardly used to.
Sancho and Rashford took up the wide roles either side of Fernandes, with Ronaldo and Cavani heading an essential front five. An aggressive, attacking onslaught was pending against a typically liable defence.
The fix was certainly not immediate. United were left exposed by the attacking commitment, with Saint-Maximin's miskick giving De Gea the chance to scramble across his goalline and deny an essential tap-in. It should, undeniably, have been 2-0 by this point - at the very least.
United did manage to use their strength in attacking numbers to surge forward with some added poise, though decision making was often dubious still. Rashford once drove positively, only to unleash from range and gift Martin Dubravka a relatively routine save. That was as good as it was really coming for a wasteful United side.
Without being disrespectful to Newcastle, they shouldn't really have been permitted to engage in such a close contest with United given their inferiority by way of widespread individual quality. However, the absence of any accomplished collective chemistry and overall poor attitude of the United outfit allowed their opposition to really compete.
The offensive changes did continue to enable United some more avail, with Cavani offering urgency where others had lacked. This determination was encapsulated through the two half time additions combining for their side's best chance of the match to that moment, with the Uruguayan providing some intricate movement to locate space and get on the end of a Sancho ball into the box. The effort was squandered, but it was more positive.
Regardless, visiting frustrations still grew. A wild swipe for the ball out of pure vexation saw Ronaldo catch Fraser and have his name taken. Heads were going. There was no blatant revitalisation after the enforced two week break. Flat before, flat after.
Even when chances were created some more, the end product remained improvident. United's lack of sharpness was mystifying, epitomised by Rashford absolutely blazing an attempted left footed cross straight into the stands without even making the penalty area.
Rashford is one example of a few players who seem to still be regarded as having an 'undroppable' status. The issue was apparent under Solskjaer, and it still appears some players are exempt from being replaced due to bad form. Can being a prolific name really justify maintenance as a starter when you're in a tough spell form-wise? There are plenty of deserving alternatives waiting in the wings, raring for an opportunity.
The theme of regression continued after a slight upturn in attacking volume, with United looking vulnerable due to the lack of any midfield presence. In hand, the defence was exposed further and the number of bodies committed forward triggered liability to being counter attacked. On one occasion, Joelinton broke and sent Fraser through, only for his reverse finished to be denied. That wasn't an outlier of an opportunity by any stretch.
United actually started to fall to pieces again. The complaining nature of those on the pitch prolonged, with Fernandes picking up yet another booking for dissent - this sees him suspended against Burnley next time out. Maguire's name was also taken for a clumsy challenge as the defence were left threatened by a Fraser onrush.
Unarguably undeservedly, United managed to respond to the latest spell of opposing threat to equalise. Again, the attack came down the right hand side - this time Dalot's run was expertly picked out by Fernandes before the right back played the ball across to Cavani. The half time substitute showed yet more intelligent movement in and around the six yard box, this time holding back to receive the ball. The initial effort was blocked, but Cavani prodded into the back of the net with a second bite at the cherry.
You could see just how much it meant to the Uruguayan, especially after his recent layoff. No matter what social media says with regards to exit rumours, he does really love the club.
Cavani was a continued nuisance in subsequence, with the likes of Rashford also growing into the game off the back of the leveller after his earlier misadventures. The left hand side, as a result, also became a more efficient outlet. Rashford combined with Telles in one instant, with the left back firing a pinpoint low ball across to Cavani; attempting to dink above Dubravka, there was just too little on the forward's ultimate effort to put his side ahead.
Things were coming together. No matter how unconventional it seemed, Rangnick's system was helping to exert an effective overload on the Newcastle back line. The introduction of Nemanja Matic in place of a hobbling McTominay solidified the midfield, with Fernandes developing as an adept linkman to enhance the flow of proceedings inside the final third. Unfortunately, wastefulness continued to mar an otherwise advancing showing.
Sancho kept displaying his worth down the right to provide more chances, once combining with Ronaldo before delivering another ball across. Cavani remained lively, but this time the cross narrowly evaded his goalward dart.
Newcastle could also, easily, have snatched a late lead despite losing Saint-Maximin to a muscle injury. United's defensive structure was again dismantled, with Jacob Murphy striking the post before De Gea spectacularly denied Miguel Almiron on full stretch.
Again, De Gea was pivotal. Again, he was the busier of the two goalkeepers. But, why do we have to be talking about him after every single match? Especially in this currently theoretically more straightforward run of matches, we really shouldn’t be having to speak about the goalkeeper being United's best player. Taking nothing away from his reignited colossal level of performances, which is great to see, we shouldn’t be speaking about ‘De Gea the saviour’ every single matchday. Manchester United shouldn’t need a saviour.
The hosts were piling on the pressure in the closing exchanges, with Fernandes crucially intervening to deny another golden opportunity. However, they had their own scare midway through the six added minutes; Dubravka spilled a catch, with Sancho finding Cavani but the Uruguayan unable to convert amidst a seas of bodies.
United were fortunate to take a point, with a number of their flaws exposed yet again. To remain in tact with their top four competition, it's critical that Rangnick's side up their game extremely imminently. We're not even talking about a title race anymore, and the utter mess of a match at St James' emphasised just why.
It's definitely proving tough for Rangnick to convey his views mid-season, especially given the deep-engrained bad habits within the squad. The players currently look lost as to what they are doing. It's not even a question of ability preventing stepping up and adapting, it's mostly the below-par work ethic. That’s inexcusable. There’s no point in such a plethora of quality if the players aren’t willing to even try and comply.
Right now, they do look a seriously tough group to manage. A real, real handful. There is so much work to do, and only some of that can be done by the manager. The second half setup was certainly strange, and the 4222 isn’t working particularly efficiently at the moment, but the players have got to take more than a bit of the onus.
"I didn't like the performance at all," Rangnick said post-match. "Today we didn't control the game apart from a few moments. It's all about energy, physicality and who wins the second balls. In all those areas we weren't at our best. The good thing is we got a point but the performance needs to be better.”
“Our biggest problem was the mistakes we made. Even when we scored the equaliser we were not really controlling the game and taking the right decisions. You have to be ready and able to win those direct duels and this was not that often the case. When we were in possession we had too many giveaways and even with the goal, that doesn’t make things easy.”
"We shouldn't look for excuses - we need to be better and get more physical. I was not happy with our performance with the ball or when we had to press. We still have steps to go. Today was not a step forward.”
To finish, he exclaimed that "we won a point, not lost two."
That says everything. Joint-bottom side Newcastle deserved to win, thus a point was somehow a success.
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