MAN UNITED 0, NEWCASTLE UNITED 3
Visiting fans continue to mock that Old Trafford is falling down as the tired old ground is certainly in need of a revamp.
But it is also falling apart on the pitch as Erik ten Hag’s side crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a heavy home loss to Newcastle United.
There is no doubt these are troubled times for the Reds as this was their eighth defeat from their first 15 competitive fixtures, their worst start since 1962/63.
And it is the first time in 93 years they have lost five of their first 10 home games – the last time was in 1930/31.
Though both sides played effectively their second-string sides, United were desperately poor and second best.
They were a side devoid of confidence and totally lacking in ideas as Newcastle triumphed with embarrassing ease as the pressure mounts on manager ten Hag.
They looked a team riding the crest of a wave which they are as they have lost only one of their last 11 games in all competitions.
Newcastle, by contrast, tasted victory at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1972 and this was their biggest win on the ground since 1930.
Ten Hag made no excuses for his side’s sorry showing, saying: “It was below the standards expected from Manchester United and there are no excuses.
Embed from Getty Images“It is my team, and it is not performing. I am responsible. As a team, we are not good enough.
“There are no excuses, we have to do better and raise standards, or we will never get performances or results.
“We are Manchester United and are expected to deal with pressure which is normal. We have to do it together in taking responsibility for performances.”
Ten Hag is determined to put things right, continuing: “I am a fighter, We have had a lot of setbacks this season which we have had to deal with. It is no excuse, and we have to do better.
“I am confident we can do it – I have done it at all my clubs and did it here last year.
“We are in a bad place which I take responsibility for. I am a fighter and will make sure I share that with my players and get good results.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who won at Old Trafford for the first time in his managerial career, said: “It was a massive performance and there were some great individual performances. The mentality was brilliant. We had injuries and picked one up early. It was a great response.
“I was really pleased with the commitment, and we scored some great goals which was a highlight for us. We also defended really well.
“Delighted for the fans. With the journey, we had to respond and reward them.”
Ten Hag made seven changes to the side which lost 3-0 to Manchester City on Sunday.
Only Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof kept their places.
Casemiro returned in midfield after missing three games and captained the side. Mason Mount started as did Antony Martial.
After drawing 2-2 with Wolves on Saturday, Newcastlemade eight changes.
Antony Gordon, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff were the lucky three who stayed in the side.
Longstaff captained the side on his 150th Newcastle United appearance with Jamal Lascelles among the substitutes.
Promising left-back Hall was among the starters as was Martin Dubravka in goal.
Willock started after picking up a serious hamstring injury towards the end of last season.
Alexander Isak (groin), Sven Botman (knee) and Jacob Murphy (shoulder) were among the absentees for Eddie Howe’s side.
Newcastle were forced into an early change when Matt Targett pulled a hamstring with barely one minute played as he was replaced by Miguel Almiron.
United had the first chance of the night in the 13th minute when Casemiro’s drive brought a routine diving save from Dubravka.
But Casemiro and Hannibal were treading a fine line after both picked up bookings inside the opening 20 minutes.
Newcastle’s 9,000 travelling fans were in raptures when their side stole ahead just short of the half hour.
Tino Livramento robbed Alejandro Garnacho and broke half the length of the field before his cross-field pass released Almiron who cut inside Dalot before firing past Onana from six yards with an angled shot, his fourth goal of the season.
And it got a whole lot worse for the Reds as Newcastle doubled their lead in the 36th minute.
Willock’s cross was headed out by Maguire but only as far as Hall who found the net with a low, left-foot shot, his first goal for Newcastle in his 15th appearance following his summer move from Chelsea.
United finished the half strongly as in the five minutes of stoppage time Dalot’s drive flew narrowly wide and Mason Mount’s shot from distance brought a decent stop from Dubravka.
Ten Hag made two changes at the restart as Dalot and Casemiro made way for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Sofyan Amrabat.
But it became even worse for United when Willock added a third goal on the hour.
Willock, only just back from a long injury lay-off, dispossessed Amrabat before running unchecked through midfield and firing low past Onana from the edge of the box, his first goal of the season.
It was do-or-die for ten Hag who immediately brought on Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes as Martial, Garnacho and Hannibal were taken off.
Newcastle came close to conceding a fourth when a drive from substitute Dan Burn whistled past the upright as it was a night they will never forget.