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Man United vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result, score and reaction as Isak stars and Zirkzee booed off

Ruben Amorim is looking for his third win in the league since taking over in November

Karl Matchett
Monday 30 December 2024 17:16 EST
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Ruben Amorim says Man Utd must find way to end struggles

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Manchester United suffered another negative result as Newcastle United ran out 2-0 winners in the Premier League at Old Trafford, with home fans booing the team off at both half-time and full-time - as well as jeering Joshua Zirkzee off the pitch as he was subbed during the first half.

An awful start from the Red Devils saw them behind within minutes of kick-off, an unmarked Alexander Isak heading home from close range. Isak was exceptional all night and had another strike ruled out for offside, but Newcastle could easily have been four or five goals up by half time.

As it was, Joelinton’s header from a similar position to Isak’s goal was the only other strike of the night, but Ruben Amorim could be left in no doubt that his side remain absolutely miles off the level they need to be as they end 2024 in 14th place, while Newcastle rise to fifth. Follow all the latest updates from Old Trafford below:

66’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Leny Yoro and Alejandro Garnacho are on for Martinez and Casemiro. Not a great two-thirds of a night for a stand-in skipper, at least partly at fault for both goals.

Hall swings a free-kick over from the right flank, left-footed, but United clear.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 21:25

62’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Isak hauled down by Martinez after showing good power to get away from two players - the United captain for the night is booked.

Under half an hour now for them to mount a response and comeback and no real sign of it yet, even if Newcastle aren’t as full-on and scything through them as they were.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 21:21

58’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Newcastle sub - Kieran Trippier appears to have hurt his hamstring and he’s going off. Tino Livramento comes on.

Richard Jolly: “Manchester United have at least had more stability since Kobbie Mainoo came on, even if that rather suggests he should have started. They have had a couple of good chances, too, and Casemiro perhaps ought to have scored on the stroke of half-time. It remains to be seen if they gamble on trying to get a point and risk a rout, or settle for a 2-0 loss.”

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 21:17

54’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Joelinton wins a free-kick and Newcastle squander the chance to trouble Onana - haven’t really had the fluency in their play over the last 15 minutes either side of the interval.

Hojlund escapes his man in the box and tees up an Amad shot but Tonali makes the block.

More reason for optimism for the home fans since the restart but no big chances for them and nothing for Dubravka to worry about.

Antony, Rashford and Garnacho are all on the bench for United.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 21:14

50’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

The home team have played far more aggressively and on the front foot since the restart. A good cross from Mazraoui on the right sees Schar forced into an awkward clearance behind for a corner under pressure. Eriksen’s corner goes through everyone - could have been a tap-in if a red shirt was in place. Newcastle need to heed the warnings here.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 21:10

46' - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Back underway and no further changes but both managers probably had plenty to say. Eddie Howe may have had a few words on concentration and not letting things drift, after that final five minutes of the first half.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 21:07

Man Utd fans boo Zirkzee as striker subbed off early against Newcastle

Manchester United fans booed and jeered their own player on Monday night, as Joshua Zirkzee bore the brunt of supporters’ displeasure during a dismal first half against Newcastle United.

The Red Devils had been thoroughly outplayed and were 2-0 down on home soil to the Magpies, with another strike ruled out for offside and Newcastle also striking the woodwork in a woefully one-sided first half.

That prompted Ruben Amorim to turn to his subs bench after just 32 minutes, with Zirkzee replaced by Kobbie Mainoo in an attempt to beef up the centre of the pitch, where the hosts had been second best by a long distance.

Zirkzee immediately faced extremely loud cheers at the decision to remove him, followed by an equally loud round of boos as he left the pitch. The Dutch attacker didn’t take his place to sit on the bench, but immediately appeared to don a coat and depart towards the tunnel - only to reappear a few minutes later.

During his half-hour or so on the pitch, Zirkzee managed just 14 touches of the ball, completed three passes and won one free-kick, but had no impact in terms of creating or taking shots.

Man United fans boo Zirkzee off as striker subbed before half time v Newcastle

The striker played a withdrawn role but was ineffective and quickly removed by his manager

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 20:59

HT - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

One late chance for United - Mainoo frees Casemiro in the box but his first-time shot is curled well wide. He had time there, not a great effort. Let-off for Newcastle after Schar gave the ball away - but the whistle goes and it’s 2-0 to the visitors at the interval.

Half time, Newcastle well in control. Another loud chorus of boos from the home fans as the whistle goes.

Richard Jolly’s latest: “A dreadful first half for Manchester United. The mixture of cheers and boos when Joshua Zirkzee was hauled off after half an hour are a sign of what the crowd think of him. It is hard to see how he can come back from that, or how United can come back in this game.”

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 20:49

45’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Two shots and two touches in the box for Man United in this first half. They simply haven’t been at it in the slightest.

Three minutes added on.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 20:46

40’ - Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle

Well the good news for Manchester United is that with five minutes to go until half time, they are 2-0 down.

And yes, that’s good news - it should be three at a minimum, it could easily be five, and they’ll soon have 15 minutes to sort things out a bit.

Ruben Amorim has a massive job on his hands to get them back in the game - Eddie Howe must want more of the same. They are swarming United at will, until about five minutes ago.

Karl Matchett30 December 2024 20:43

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