Manchester United suffered a devastating 4-1 defeat at Newcastle, leaving them with no hope of salvaging what is already considered one of the worst seasons in their history.
The Magpies’ dominant second-half display saw them gift the visitors three goals, including two after United’s goalkeeper, André Onana, made costly errors. The Portuguese shot-stopper had previously been omitted from the starting lineup due to concerns over his form, but his mistakes on Tuesday will surely raise questions about his future at the club.
Onana’s absences and subsequent comebacks have become a regular occurrence this season, leaving United coach Ruben Amorim with no choice but to question his selection. Altay Bayindir, who started in goal against Newcastle, was also exposed by the Magpies’ attack, making a single outstanding save before struggling to cope with the pace of Alexander Isak.
Amorim has vowed to analyze the game and move forward, but United’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League now hang in the balance. The team’s performance against Lyon on Thursday will be crucial in determining their fate.
A win against Lyon would repair some of the damage done at Newcastle, while a loss would seal United’s position as one of the teams with the lowest points totals in Premier League history. With Newcastle moving up to fourth in the table, United must now rely on their next result to salvage what is left of their season.
Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44659346/manchester-united-season-hinges-europa-league-newcastle-united-premier-league-loss