MAN UNITED 3, NEWCASTLE 2
Rising stars Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo were the catalysts, providing an exciting glimpse into the future, as Manchester United had a victorious Old Trafford send off against Newcastle United.
The youngsters both scored as the Reds picked up three huge points to keep alive their faint hopes of landing a European place.
They remain eighth – the top seven will qualify – but they go to Brighton for their final league game on Sunday still with a shout of overhauling Newcastle who occupy the last Euro spot.
It was an energetic display from the Reds and, had they displayed such spirit more often, they would surely have already secured European football.
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Rasmus Hojlund also found the net while Newcastle’s goals came from Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall in a rousing last Premier League game of the season.
The fact United have lost six games at Old Trafford and only have the eighth best home record in the Premier League underlined how the ground is no longer a near impregnable fortress.
But they gave glimpses against Newcastle – as they also did in the two epic home games against Liverpool – that better times are ahead.
Manager Erik ten Hag, addressing fans at the end of the game, admitted it had been a challenging season.
He said: “As you know it wasn’t an easy season, but one thing remained constant and that was the backing of you for the team.
“This season is not over yet. First, we go to Brighton where we travel for three points and then we go to Wembley. And I promise you those players will give everything to get that cup and bring it to Old Trafford.
Embed from Getty Images“We are sure you will be there supporting us – thank you, you are the best supporters in the world.”
Ten Hag added: “It’s always nice to win any game. It’s important to win the last game at Old Trafford this season. The fans deserve this because they’ve had difficult times and always stayed with us.
“We are here together. We wanted to pay the fans back.
“Fantastic. Great goals. But it was a team effort how we made the goals. But I’m always happy at young players who are progressing very good and scored some brilliant goals.
Captain Bruno Fernandes added: “Obviously the job isn’t finished yet. We still have one game in the Premier League then the biggest game of the season, the FA Cup final.
“It has been a tough season. The table shows that, and we are all aware of that. The fans have been amazing and behind us all season. We all appreciate what they have been doing for us.
“We want to do better and do differently and they [fans] deserve that.
“They have been amazing for us, and we had to do something. We have been trying but results don’t show that. We have been working hard and everyone has been giving their best it is not enough and we have to do more.”
Fernandes also dismissed reports that he could be leaving, explaining: “I will be here till when the club wants me, and the club wants me to be a part of the future. If for some reason they don’t want me, then I will go.”
Fernandes returned from a rare injury and took the place of Hojlund who was relegated to the bench.
That was the only change from the Reds’ 1-0 defeat by Arsenal, meaning Casemiro and Jonny Evans started at the back again.
Kieran Trippier made his first start for Newcastle since March 2 after recovering from injury.
He took the place of Tino Livramento with everyone else keeping their place from the 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Alexander Isak, who came off unwell in that game, was fit to start.
Nick Pope was on the bench for the third game in a row as he waited for a first appearance of 2024 following a shoulder injury.
United made a bright start and came close to taking a 10th minute lead through a spectacular overhead kick by Casemiro from eight yards which flew narrowly over the bar. It followed a corner.
They had another decent opening when a 22-yard drive from Amad Diallo brought about a scrambling save from keeper Martin Dubravka.
Alejandro Garnacho broke down the left and cut inside before his angled shot was blocked by Dubravka.
United eventually made a 31st minute breakthrough as two of the club’s bright young players combined.
Amad cut in from the right before threading a pass to Mainoo who was completely unmarked 14 yards out as he slotted a shot low past Dubravka for his fourth goals of his fledgling Reds’ career.
Newcastle, wo had already beaten United twice this season, came within inches of equalising when Dan Burn’s header was nodded off the line by Casemiro.
Visiting players and fans claimed it had crossed the line but referee Robert Jones’ watch did not buzz as he was not alerted by goalline technology.
Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes also went close from a corner with a header which was not far off target.
There was an explosive start to the second half as Newcastle equalised within four minutes when Jacob Murphy crossed from the right and Gordon, sliding in at the far post, converted from seven yards, his 12th goal of the season.
United might have quickly regained the lead when Fernandes saw a fierce shot beaten out by Dubravka.
Newcastle then came close to snatching the lead when Alexander Isak’s shot was deflected off Sofyan Amrabat and looped on to the crossbar as play remained frenzied.
United went back ahead in the 57th minute through a fabulous strike from Amad.
Fernandes’ corner was headed out by Murphy to the Ivory Coast player who, from just inside the box, struck a venomous first-time effort low past Dubravka.
Howe made a triple change as Newcastle went for broke as United keeper Andre Onana made two important saves in quick succession.
Sean Longstaff was put clean through but was denied by a block by Onana who also acrobatically turned over a header from substitute Joelinton.
Newcastle had made flour changed before United made a triple one with wight minutes left as Amad, Garnacho and Mainoo made way for Hojlund, Rashford and Martinez.
Hojlund had not been on the field for two minutes when he made it 3-1. Fernandes provided the assist before the Dane carried the ball forward past Burn before firing low past Dubravka, the 15th goal of his debut season for the Reds.
And that was followed by a fourth in the final minutes as the battle-scared Fernandes was replaced by Christian Eriksen.
Newcastle kept plugging away and halved the deficit in the second of six added minutes. Casemiro headed clear a corner to left-back Hall who drove home an unstoppable shot from 22 yards, only his second goal for the club.
Manager Eddie Howe said: “Our goal was not under huge pressure, yet we have conceded three goals. When we look back, we will hang our heads.
“When you score two goals away from home, you should win. We will learn.
“We performed well but not well enough in key moments. It was too similar to other away games, and we leave frustrating.”