Premier League 2018/19: Newcastle United vs Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaers relatively gentle introduction to life at Old Trafford continued with a trip to Newcastle for his fourth game in charge. The Magpies had won only one of their last seven games leading up to this encounter at St. James Park. Nevertheless, former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is renowned for his ability to organize sides defensively, and United would not find it easy to get past them.

This would prove to be Solskjaers toughest game yet as United manager, but he managed to notch a fourth win in a row by using his bench expertly. The Norwegian is now only the second Manchester United manager to win his first four games, after Sir Matt Busby. This analysis will have a look at how Newcastle frustrated the Red Devils, with Manchester United coming out on top due to their strength in depth.

Lineups

Uniteds vulnerable right

Antonio Valencia was reinstated as captain and right-back for this game, taking both honours from Ashley Young, who had done a good job in recent weeks. The contrast between the Ecuadorian and the Englishman was stark at St. James Park, as Valencia struggled positionally.

Time seems to have caught up with the 33-year old, as he was frequently caught up the pitch when Newcastle counter-attacked. Christian Atsu, his nominal direct opponent, troubled him to quite an extent, and the United man was beaten for pace on more than one occasion.

Juan Matas inclusion in the side did not help in this regard. The Spaniard tends to drift infield and in any case does not possess the pace or physique to be a defensive asset. This meant that Matt Ritchie and Atsu often revelled down Uniteds right-hand side, and it took a good performance from Victor Lindelof to keep Uniteds sheet clean. The Swede came across intelligently to cover for Valencia repeatedly, and while United did not concede in this game, Valencia looks like a defensive liability waiting to happen.

Newcastles organisation frustrates United

Rafa Benitezs tactical acumen is second to none, especially when it comes to organizing sides defensively. It is one of the few reasons why Newcastle fans are optimistic of surviving in the Premier League despite their lack of attacking firepower as well as everything else that is going on around the club.

The Spaniard had sent his side out to frustrate their more illustrious visitors, and it showed; United struggled to play with the kind of fluency they had displayed in their wins over Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth. Newcastle were disciplined and structured, denying United space in central areas and continuously forcing them to go out wide.