Coming off the bench, he held off his marker and finished well in the bottom corner. That wasn’t the end of the story, as Lewis Hall sparked Newcastle’s comeback aspirations with a magnificent long-range shot, but it was too little, too late.

Goalkeeper and Defense

Andre Onana (6/10):

Gordon’s goal and Hall’s late strike proved to be decisive. To keep United ahead, he made a great save on Longstaff in a one-on-one, followed by an athletic save on Joelinton.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10):

Played an excellent pass for Mainoo’s goal, but battled to keep Gordon under control. A rare performance in which he was better offensively than defensively.

Casemiro (5 out of 10)

Again, I was asked to play center back. Cleared the line to maintain United ahead in the first half, but was nowhere near Gordon’s goal. He is always eager to put his body on the line, but he has no pace, and the fact that it did not cost United is down to luck more than judgement.

Jonny Evans (6/10):

Had no time to react to Murphy’s cross, but responded brilliantly to Isak’s threat.

Diogo Dalot (6/10):

Amrabat was caught out of position when he failed to control the ball before the equaliser, but he stayed in the game. Always willing to provide an outlet on the left.

Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd 2023-24 Getty Midfield.

Kobby Mainoo (8/10):

He was always able to find a yard of space and score as a result, as he got on the end of Wan-Bissaka’s through ball, entirely unmarked in the box, and finished calmly.

Sofyan Amrabat (5.0/10):

Fortunately, he did not concede a penalty for a bad challenge on Gordon, although he was always involved defensively. Murphy’s weak touch allowed him to cross for Newcastle’s equalizer, but he then put himself in front of an Isak shot to deny him. A busy evening, but not an especially enjoyable one.

Scott McTominay (5/10):

Played as United’s deepest midfielder, but was frequently driven into the backline due to Newcastle’s relentless press. He appeared anxious at times, as he was on the fringes of the game.

Amad Diallo Man Utd NewcastleGetty Attack: Ahmad Diallo (8/10)

Stung Dubravka’s hands in the first half and demonstrated his jinking dribbling ability. Brilliant goal, blasting a half-volley past the keeper. A ray of light on the right; he possesses incredible talent and promise. He deserved the standing ovation he received upon his substitution.

Bruno Fernandes 7/10:

Deployed as a false nine, frequently dropping off to allow Amad and Garnacho to bomb on. He did, at times, rob United of a focal point, but his passing range is outstanding, and he assisted Hojlund’s late goal.

Alejandro Garnacho (4/10):

Fernandes sent it through, but Dubravka rejected it one-on-one from an angle. Trippier marked him out of the game, making him United’s least effective attacking option on the night.

Erik Ten Hag Manchester United NewcastleGetty Subs and Manager: Rasmus Hojlund (7/10).

He replaced Amad and scored nearly immediately, holding off his marker and fizzing a shot into the bottom corner.

Lisandro Martinez (n/a):

Mainoo returned after an extended injury layoff and was greeted with a thunderous cheer. United must hope he is able to stay fit next season.

Marcus Rashford (n/a)

Garnacho was replaced after colliding with a spectator before kickoff.

Christian Eriksen (n/a):

It’s time for Fernandes to help run down the clock.

Erik Ten Hag (6/10):

United may have missed some big chances and been saved by VAR, but Ten Hag made all of the key decisions correctly, including deploying Fernandes as a false nine. The fact that Hojlund scored seconds after coming on as a substitute is just icing on the cake, even if he must have been nervous in injury time following Hall’s goal.