MANCHESTER United took one step forward and then two steps back after a week of away trips came to a lifeless end against Newcastle on Saturday night.
The scoreline might only have read 1-0 to the home side but the truth is, this was as bad as some of their heavier defeats under Erik ten Hag. Not once did United look like winning the game and although there were some brief flickers of promise to net a goal, Newcastle were rarely troubled and will be kicking themselves that they didn't net four or five.
United's performance was as limp and lifeless as it has ever been since Ten Hag took charge, yet what was even worse was their reaction to the embarrassing defeat.
As the players trudged off following their unacceptable performance, United assistant Steve McClaren had to stand at the top of the tunnel, ordering some of them back onto the pitch to applaud the supporters who had made the journey.
Yes, United's own preparations for the match were less than ideal, but they still had a far more luxurious journey to St. James' Park than those loyal fans who braved the treacherous conditions.
It is obvious that United players would be disappointed after their performance, but this was akin to the final days of previous managers when similar scenes took place after awful away defeats.
United are still without an away win at a top-eight league side since October 2021, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's last three points in management.
This story is from the December 04, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 04, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ten Hag wants a £200k 'privacy wall' at Carrington
ERIK ten Hag has reportedly requested a privacy wall to be built at United's training ground, costing the club £200,000.
"There is no reason to expect any sort of statement after Sir Jim's meeting'
UNITED are yet to clarify Erik ten Hag's future following their executive meeting in London on Tuesday.
ETH says Ugarte needs time but it's hard to develop if he's not playing...
ERIK ten Hag's decision to drop the two central defenders he had worked with previously and pushed to be reunited with at Old Trafford attracted plenty of attention this week, but it wasn't his only surprising selection call.
BEV'S LOOKING TO GO CRAZY!
BEVAN French admits it will be 'a crazy feeling' if he can light up Saturday's Grand Final with another of his freakish tries.
HAALAND ON 'GABGATE' 'What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch'
STRIKER HAS ‘NO REGRETS' OVER THROWING BALL AT GAB
Root: Plenty of runs still to get
JOE Root insists there are 'many more runs left to get' overhauling Sir Alastair Cook to become England's record Test run-scorer.
'Local Retail Champions make our communities better places to live'
LOTTERY OPERATOR ‘EXCITED' TO RECOGNISE RETAILERS, SAYS ALLWYN CEO ANDRIA VIDLER
Badenoch or Jenrick to lead Conservatives
ROBERT Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will go head-to-head in the final heat of the Conservative Party leadership contest, after James Cleverly was knocked out in the latest round of voting.
Letby told colleague of 'distress'
CHILD serial killer nurse Lucy Letby told a colleague more than a year before her arrest she was worried she had \"maybe done something wrong\" to babies, an inquiry has heard.
Idris acts to give youth a chance
IDRIS Elba has partnered with The Prince's Trust to launch a new project that aims to give a 'chance' to the young people of Manchester.