Edinson Cavani came off the bench to save a point for Manchester United from a poor performance in the Premier League 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Monday.
Playing my first game after 16 days coronavirus Two games were postponed due to matters in the squad, United were dismissed in the first half and Alain Saint-Maximin gave Newcastle the lead after a sharp break in the seventh minute after Rafael Varane’s exit.
Cavani entered as a halftime substitute, added some urgency and pressure to United’s attacking game, and created an equalizer by making a rebound at home in the 71st minute after his opening shot was blocked.
Newcastle, who hit the post in the last minutes through substitute Dwight Gayle, were denied a second win of the campaign and finished next-to-end, while seventh-placed United put on a fifth-place finish on display. But missed the opportunity to jump. showed that the team still had a lot of work to do under the leadership of recently appointed coach Ralph Rangnick.
His team was so out of pace in the first half _probably due to the extended COVID-enforced break _ that Rangnik opted to make two substitutions at half time, with Fred and Mason Greenwood coming in.
Any player in the outfield can be easily replaced.
Regarding United’s performance, Rangnik said, “I didn’t like it at all.” “We’re trying to get better at controlling the game. Today we didn’t control the game.”
Bruno Fernandes was often seen waving his hands in the air while complaining to the referee and his teammates. Marcus Rashford looked defeated on the right wing. Varane and Harry Maguire were being kept at the centre-back.
United, playing back after the cancellation of games against Brighton and Brentford, were lucky to only lead 1–0 at the break. Shaun Longstaff scored after putting pressure on Varane, picked him up and played at Saint-Maximin, who cut inside Maguire and poked a finish into the corner.
Saint-Maximin lost a fine opportunity from point-blank range to take a 2–0 lead in the 47th minute, missing a finish from a Milecrafts cross that allowed David de Gea to take the ball away when He was well kept. should have been beaten.
Since then, United have had better chances, with Cavani shooting wide with the goal at his mercy, and eventually equalizing in the second attempt after Diogo Dalot’s cross was picked up.
However, a late flurry from Newcastle saw Gayle curl a shot against the post, before Miguel Almiron got the ball back and a curling shot by de Gea was tipped over the bar.
Rangnik questioned the physicality and energy levels of his players.
“It’s a question of rhythm, but we shouldn’t look for excuses,” he said. “We need to be more physical and more precise with the ball.”
Newcastle lost to forward Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximin due to injuries, and manager Eddie Howe said his team was “dangerously close” to having so many absences _ or so. COVID-19 Cases or injuries _ that his game at Everton on Thursday would be in jeopardy.
Still, they were pleased with Newcastle’s performance, possibly the best of the season.
“Hopefully we have seen the start of a team and how we want to play,” said Howe, who was brought in as manager after the club was acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in November.
Fernandes collected his fifth yellow card of the season and will miss United’s next game against Burnley on Thursday, when Cavani can hope to start after his game-changing performance as a substitute.