Man Utd vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as hosts clinch win in five-goal thriller

The final ignominy came after the final whistle, Old Trafford’s famously leaking roof fashioning a waterfall. As tourist attractions go, it wasn’t supposed to be Manchester’s answer to the Niagara Falls. The Theatre of the Dreams has become the theatre of the drenched. Manchester United, though, is a club where everything can tumble quickly: fortunes, reputations, player values. A team who have slid down the table are now eighth, on course for their worst Premier League finish.

Even David Moyes bottomed out at seventh, Ralf Rangnick in sixth. For Erik ten Hag, the wrong kind of distinctions beckon. The manager trumpeting unprecedented achievements at Old Trafford was Mikel Arteta. “It’s 27 wins in the Premier League. It’s the most in the history of this club,” he said after that rarity, an Arsenal triumph at Old Trafford. “That is not progress, it is history.”

Manchester United have lost just one of their 28 Premier League home matches against Newcastle with 18 wins and nine draws in that run.

That defeat was a 1-0 loss in December 2013 under David Moyes. Is it time for Newcastle to win again?

Wayne Rooney has accused some of Manchester United’s supposedly injured players of ducking out of games for the struggling side to save themselves for the FA Cup final or Euro 2024.

And he accused them of letting the club down by opting out of games, saying: “There are some very good players in that squad and the performances are way below par. You look at the injuries and some of those players could play; 100 percent.

“You have a European Championships coming up and an FA Cup final coming up. It is easy for players to stay out for a little bit and then come back towards the European Championships.

“I have seen it myself over the years. I just think the players who have been injured are not filling themselves with any credit at the minute.”

“You have to see here at Carrington. The players are desperate to play,” Erik ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday following criticism that some of the injured players are hiding from scrutiny.

The manager added: “I have seen that Licha Martinez [wants to play]. Bruno [Fernandes] did a fitness test on Sunday to play. [Marcus] Rashford did everything he could do. He trained, tried to train last week but he didn’t make it.

“Players are desperate to play and they want to be in the right shape. You see also Victor Lindelof, Rapha Varane, they are training to make themselves available for the final. They do what they can do.”

Lisandro Martinez is set to return to the Manchester United squad when under-fire Erik ten Hag’s side take on Newcastle.

The key Argentina centre-back has managed just 11 appearances since breaking his metatarsal last April, compounding the issues facing a Red Devils defence beset by injuries.

Martinez underwent foot surgery for the second time in October having returned for the start of the season, then was laid low by knee and calf injuries upon his return.

“I think, especially on the pitch, we need him,” the manager admitted when speaking about Lisandro Martinez’s return. “There, he shows his spirit and, there, he is a warrior.

“If he is fit, when his fitness standards are on a high, he is an absolute leader for us, he is an absolute warrior. He gives the right spirit and he is a very important player in our defending line and we missed him across almost the whole season.”

Erik ten Hag also suggested that fellow defender Lisandro Martinez could play a part in this evening’s match though that will likely come from the bench,

The World Cup winner’s return to training has provided a boost for the team ahead of a crucial FA Cup final versus Man City but the manager is ensuring the centre-back is not rushed back into action.

“We have to see a final training [session] this afternoon,” Ten Hag told club media on Tuesday, “But we think Licha Martinez, after a long period, he will be available.

“Not to start but coming from the bench. Hopefully, we can bring him in and that would be the next step.

“And that is very important for us, that players return, especially in the defending line because, you know, we are short of players available.”

Raphael Varane is leaving Manchester United in the summer with the club deciding not to renew his contract. He will also miss out on an Old Trafford farewell as injury is preventing him from playing in the final home game of the season against Newcastle tonight.

No doubt, Varane will say goodbye to the supporter from the sidelines ahead of a possible return to action at Brighon on Sunday.

United boss Erik ten Hag said: “We plan [for] him definitely for the last games. Not tomorrow, but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game [The FA Cup final].”

Raphael Varane has announced he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old centre-back made a big-money switch to the Old Trafford outfit in 2021 after a medal-laden decade at Real Madrid.

Injuries have restricted Varane to 93 appearances in his three seasons at United, who the defender will be leaving upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

With Manchester United in a bad run of form and Newcastle finding their stride again this should be an easy game to pick a result for, in theory.

It is also United’s final home match of the season and they should be boosted by the returns of some of their key personnel such as Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes. Couple that with a need to finish higher than eighth (their current position) and United may prove to be a stubborn force this evening.

Newcastle are in great form in front of goal though and United tend to slip away in matches when their opponents score. This one could turn out to be honours even.

Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle.