Manchester United were unusually entertaining on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately for Reds Devils fans, Louis van Gaal’s men were also unusually awful at the back as they blew 2-0 and 3-2 leads to draw 3-3 at Newcastle United.
Wayne Rooney was sensational. He scored a penalty and then set up Jesse Lingard to put his side in firm control, before Georginio Wijnaldum got Newcastle back in the game just before half time.
Midway through the second period, Chris Smalling hauled down Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored from the resultant spot kick to bring Newcastle level.
Rooney then bagged a worldie from long-range to put Man United on the verge of a third straight win in all competitions, but Paul Dummett’s last-minute strike – deflected off Smalling – earned a point for Steve McClaren’s men to cap off a brilliant match.
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Man United player ratings v Newcastle
GK: David De Gea – 6/10
Dea Gea was beaten by half of Newcastle’s six shots on target, but he did make a good save to thwart Wijnaldum with the score at 0-2.
RB: Ashley Young – 5/10
Sometimes Young can blag it as a full-back, but not today!
CB: Chris Smalling – 3/10
Stupidly hauled down Mitrovic to concede the penalty which gave Newcastle their first equaliser.
Smalling then deflected – rather unluckily – Dummett’s late effort beyond De Gea.
CB: Daley Blind – 6/10
Blind was far from at his best, but he still did OK.
LB: Matteo Darmian – 7/10
Made more tackles – six – than any other player on the pitch.
CM: Marouane Fellaini – 5/10
Was reckless in the first half and could easily have been sent off as he committed four fouls – one of which earned him a yellow card. Also wasted a glorious chance to put his side 4-2 up late on.
CM: Morgan Schneiderlin – 6/10
Still yet to prove that United were right to splash out on him so lavishly.
RAM: Anthony Martial – 6/10
Worked very hard, but looks wasted out wide.
CAM: Ander Herrera – 6/10
Did very little off-the-ball work, but his passing was first class – as was that of Juan Mata (7/10) , who complete 100% of his 11 passes after replacing Herrera as a 74th-minute sub.
LAM: Jesse Lingard – 7/10
Took his goal really nicely and performed quite well overall, before being replaced by Memphis Depay (6/10) on 63 minutes.
ST: Wayne Rooney – 10/10
Scored twice, including with this absolute belter, while his assist for Lingard’s goal was equally brilliant. Rooney held the ball up brilliantly and played the pass to Lingard at just the right time.
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