Manchester United remain the Premier League’s most successful outfit but it has been more than a decade since they were challenging and the loss to Newcastle highlighted their demise
With The Courteeners’ Not Nineteen Forever blaring out before kick-off, you had to wonder if some Manchester United players were soberly taking note.
By the time Eddie Howe’s high-tempo Newcastle had run rings around them, those song lyrics will have been an all too stark reminder that things really do change.
Man United’s central midfield duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both turn 33 in February. But they may have already felt a lot older chasing the shadows of the Magpies’ magnificent Joelinton, 28, and Bruno Guimaraes, 27, last night.
How beleaguered Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim must wish for players of such dynamism and athleticism in his misfiring outfit. They were utterly bullied and outplayed in the first half as the livewire Alexander Isak and striding Joelinton plundered crucial goals.
However, it wasn’t just the elder statesmen in an ailing United side who came a cropper. It’s only four years ago that Joshua Zirkzee was aged 19 and winning the treble with Bayern Munich. But the ailing striker struggled to even control the ball at times last night.
He was hooked after just 33 minutes with many of his own fans celebrating the dire Dutchman’s removal. Amorim did bring on a 19 year-old – Kobbie Mainoo – and his side instantly looked better. The England international helped bolster his side’s over-run midfield and at least give the battered hosts a fighting chance.
But this was Newcastle’s night as they delivered a fifth straight win – something their rivals’ suffering supporters can scarcely now dream of.
United fans adopted Not Nineteen Forever when they lifted a 20th Premier League title in 2013. But they still haven’t won one since. Amorim has a huge job on his hands to even make them competitive, let alone capable of properly firing.
But he knows that. Instead, Howe’s side look more like a team capable of charging. With pace, verve and skill all over the park, they have the tools. And the confidence.
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