Manchester United two points above the relegation zone after defeat to Newcastle
Teenager Matthew Longstaff’s 25-yard screamer on his Premier League debut sunk Manchester United who now sit two points above the relegation zone.
The 19-year-old goalscorer hit the bar in the first half before Harry Maguire headed wide from four yards out with the goal at his mercy.
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Longstaff gave the hosts the win in the 72nd minute after a fast a fluid break forward before smashing a low drive past David de Gea.
The three points for Steve Bruce’s Newcastle lift them out of the drop zone to 16th, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side remain 12th with only two wins this season.
After a Lacklustre start to the first half, Matthew Longstaff - on his Premier League debut - saw his dipping effort clip the crossbar. The 19-year-old picked up a pass from Allan Saint-Maximin, took a touch and hit a beauty on the bounce.
Fabian Schar glanced a header over the crossbar moments later, but it was poor defending by Man United to let Schar get an effort in from Sean Longstaff’s corner.
Miguel Almiron passed up a glorious opportunity to open his Newcastle account when, after being played in over the top by Sean Longstaff, he took too long to get his shot away and allowed Maguire to make a vital block.
Solskjaer’s side had their first effort on target in almost a game and a half with the first on target in this game too. Andreas Pereira's long-range strike was comfortable for Martin Dubravka though.
Schar almost put one into his own net when he headed Diogo Dalot's dangerous cross over his own bar.
Maguire should have put Manchester United in front from the resultant corner. The £75m defender got free of his marker and headed wide four yards out on the stroke of half-time.
It was Maguire who had the first real chance after the restart too. This time his header was blocked from a corner, before his follow up was blocked too.
Andy Carroll, who replaced Joelinton 10 minutes into the second half, was next to miss the target for the hosts. After some good play by DeAndre Yedlin, Matty Longstaff picked out fellow Geordie Carroll, but he couldn’t keep his header down.
Matthew Longstaff made the breakthrough in the 72nd minute with Newcastle’s first shot on target. It was an excellent goal by Newcastle although the away side had plenty of chances to deal with it.
Saint-Maximin ran from the halfway line, took on several defenders before he found Jetro Willems. He held off a few Man United players before pulling it back to the teenager, who absolutely blasted a 25-yard beauty past David de Gea and into the back of the net.
He becomes the youngest player to score on his Premier League debut for Newcastle (19y 199d).
Looking for a response, Ashley Young’s put in a good delivery from a free-kick but Marcos Rojo headed over the crossbar.
Matthew’s brother, Sean Longstaff was keen to get on the scoresheet himself and had a long-range shot of his own, but it was comfortably saved by de Gea.
Scott McTominay went down in the penalty area in injury time after Andy Carroll's elbow went into his face, but VAR said it was accidental so no penalty was given as Newcastle ran out 1-0 winners.
It’s Steve Bruce's first win against Manchester United as a manager at his 23rd attempt.
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