Newcastle\u2019s Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside first 19 minutes as fifth consecutive win lifted Magpies into fifth
\n Manchester
\nManchester United suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Monday, as goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton marked the Red Devils\u2019 dismal end to 2024 and increased pressure on manager Ruben Amorim.
\nJust two months into his tenure, Amorim conceded this week that his job is on the line unless results begin to improve.
\nThe Portuguese has won just two of his first nine league games to leave United languishing down in 14th, just seven points above the relegation zone.
\nAlexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted the Magpies into fifth.
\nAmorim stood aghast at what he was witnessing in the first half as Newcastle cut through the home side at will.
\nJust over three minutes were on the clock when Isak was afforded space inside the six-yard box to head in Lewis Hall\u2019s cross and score for the sixth consecutive Premier League game.
\nUnited badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes as the Newcastle midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton played around the ageing duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.
\nIsak blew a huge chance to double the visitors\u2019 lead when he fluffed an attempted dink over Andre Onana and the Swedish striker also had a goal ruled out for offside.
\nHowever, it was just a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Joelinton burst in to meet Anthony Gordon\u2019s cross.
\nAmorim responded by replacing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes\u2013a move greeted with cheers by the frustrated Old Trafford crowd.
\nTonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defence.
\nHowever, Eddie Howe\u2019s men nearly gifted the Red Devils a route back into the game before half-time.
\nRasmus Hojlund missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back when the Dane fired wide with just Martin Dubravka to beat.
\nCasemiro then wasted an even better opportunity after Fabian Schar presented possession to Mainoo.
\nAmorim\u2019s half-time pep talk did at least muster some response as United began the second half far better.
\nHarry Maguire\u2019s header came back off the post before Hall blocked De Ligt\u2019s goalbound follow-up effort.
\nMarcus Rashford had been restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Amorim turned to another outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make a difference.
\nBut the Argentine international was introduced just as Newcastle had ridden the storm and began to assert their control once more.
\nA third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979 is the latest in the list of sorry statistics that have marked United\u2019s decade of decline.
\nThe fear for Amorim is that the losing run only looks set to continue into 2025.
\nA daunting trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday before United travel to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Newcastle\u2019s Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside first 19 minutes as fifth consecutive win lifted Magpies into fifth Manchester Manchester United suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Monday, as goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton marked the Red Devils\u2019 dismal end to 2024 and increased pressure on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":453045,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-453038","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n