Newcastle secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday evening, closing out 2024 with another excellent performance.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton in the opening 20 minutes propelled the Magpies to victory, while Manchester United struggled to find a meaningful response.
First half
The visitors wasted no time in asserting their dominance, taking the lead within four minutes.
Bruno Guimaraes’ perfectly executed change of play found Lewis Hall in acres of space on the left flank.
Hall delivered a precise half-volley cross into the box, where Isak out-stepped Harry Maguire to head the ball into the ground and beyond a helpless Andre Onana.
GET INNNNNN! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cTyqDHNiao
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
Newcastle’s first strike set the tone for the half, and it didn’t take long for them to double their advantage.
In the 19th minute, Anthony Gordon got past Noussair Mazraoui on the left wing before delivering a perfect cross.
Joelinton got past Lisandro Martinez to power a header past Onana, making it 2-0.
The Magpies almost extended their lead further, with Sandro Tonali hitting the post from the edge of the area and Isak finding the back of the net again, only for his second goal to be disallowed for offside.
Manchester United, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm. Their first real chance fell to Rasmus Hojlund, who fired a left-footed shot wide after beating the offside trap in the 34th minute.
Joshua Zirkzee was replaced to applause in the first half after an uninspiring performance, but the hosts’ frustrations continued as Casemiro squandered a golden opportunity to pull one back just before the break.
VAMOS pic.twitter.com/DCnRW3okgs
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 30, 2024
Second half
Rúben Amorim, visibly dissatisfied with his team’s performance, made further changes at the break.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were introduced, hoping to inject energy into Manchester United’s lackluster attack.
The home side’s best chance of the half came in the 60th minute when Diogo Dalot’s cross found Harry Maguire in the box.
The defender’s diving header hit the post and Matthijs de Ligt’s follow-up effort was blocked by Lewis Hall.
Amorim introduced Antony and Leny Yoro late in the match, but the changes failed to turn the tide.
Newcastle substitutes, including Harvey Barnes and Joseph Willock, added further legs to finish the match.
The victory moves Newcastle United fifth in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Eddie Howe’s side will head into 2025 full of confidence as they aim for Champions League qualification.
For Manchester United, the defeat caps a disappointing year, with questions growing over the team’s bottle, whoever is responsible.
