Ten Hag dismisses criticism with insistence that Man Utd team ‘in development’
Manchester United travel to Newcastle United this evening as both sides look to put weeknight Champions League woes behind them and consolidate form in the Premier League.
Newcastle go into the game a point behind Manchester United in the table, although they have lost one fewer game than Erik ten Hag’s men. But at St James’ Park, Newcastle have been a powerhouse this season, winning six of their matches at home, and losing just one, having netted 14 goals in the process.
Both sides have been dealing with injury concerns this season, although Magpie woes are more acute, they were forced to field teenagers on the bench against Paris Saint Germain in midweek, and were unable to make any tactical substitutions.
Eddie Howe will be without 11 players for the match, while Ten Hag has been able to welcome back Luke Shaw in recent weeks, but United could be without seven senior members of the squad.
Follow all the live action from St James’ Park in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips for the game here.
Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
30 mins: First set-piece for Man United to attack – a free-kick from out on the left. Fernandes and Shaw stand over it, the latter whips it in but far to close to Pope who easily claims it. Wasted chance that.
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:31
Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
28 mins: It’s been a perfect start for Newcastle in every way but the scoreline – they haven’t been able to find a goal yet. Miley gets to the byline after a lovely Guimaraes pass and Shaw blocks the cross for another Magpies corner.
Onana gets a half-punch on Trippier’s cross and some follow-up defending clears the ball.
Livramento then shows his pace to get across and tidy up a ball over the top ahead of Garnacho as Man United try to counter.
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:31
Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
25 mins: Man United’s attacking threats – Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial et al – have been completely anonymous so far. The stats back this up with eight shots to two in Newcastle’s favour so far.
As if to prove this, Rashford’s ball to the overlapping Wan-Bissaka is poor – too long and out harmlessly for a goal-kick
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:26
CLOSE! Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
21 mins: And now another chance for Newcastle – who are dominating here. The corner is initially cleared but comes back into the box, Isak hooks it back into the mixer from the back post and Jamaal Lascelles gets in front of Mainoo to head just wide across the goal. Not far away at all.
Great tempo to this game so far and Newcastle the better team.
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:24
CHANCE! Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
19 mins: Surely should be 1-0 to Newcastle?
Good work by Tripper down the right, finds Almiron whose ball across isn’t cleared by Wan-Bissaka, it falls to Isak about 12 yards out, he takes a touch and then his shot is inches wide. It’s deflected off the heel of Harry Maguire but he should probably score – could he have hit it first time?
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:22
SAVE! Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
17 mins: Onana called into action this time. Joelinton gets to the byline and cuts the ball back to Gordon. He gets a shot off through Shaw’s legs but Onana is down well to his right to push the ball away with two strong hands. Nice, nerve-settling save.
Newcastle then attack again and Guimaraes takes aim from 25 yards but the ball is skewed over.
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:20
Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
16 mins: I’m not a fan of still images of controversial moments being posted on social media. It never tells the full story. But if you like that sort of thing, this is probably pretty damning for Dalot.
It definitely hit his arm but given the proximity to the ball, not a penalty for me.
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:19
Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
15 mins: After that Garnacho chance, Newcastle have got back on top. Good defending by Wan-Bissaka to deny Gordon as he burst into the box.
Luke Shaw – playing at centre back tonight – then makes a sliding block as Isak takes a shot in the penalty area after Trippier’s neat ball in. Good defending by Shaw
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:17
SAVE! Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
11 mins: Nick Pope the first goalkeeper called into real action. It’s Man United’s first attack and Alejandro Garnacho gets away from Trippier down the right. Burts into the box but he’s slightly wide and the strike goalwards is saved by the foot of Pope.
One of Garnacho’s touches probably took him a shade wide as Trippier scrambled back but it’s the visitors’ best moment so far.
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:14
PENALTY APPEAL! Newcastle 0-0 Manchester United
9 mins: Diogo Dalot what are you doing?! Gordon’s reverse-pass into the box is bouncing harmlessly towards Onana but Dalot decides to take matters into his own hands (literally), plays it past his own keeper and a heavy touch then bounces up and hits his arm before he can panickedly boot clear.
Appeals for a penalty from Newcastle and frankly, if the PSG one in midweek was a penalty (which it shouldn’t have been) this probably should be as well… Referee and then VAR control room say nothing doing. Lucky boy Dalot!
Luke Baker2 December 2023 20:13
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.