Match Coverage

Five talking points as Manchester United crash out of the Carabao Cup vs Newcastle

Published:

22:15

November 1st 2023

| Last Updated:

22:15

November 1st 2023

Dylan Penketh

Manchester United exited the Carabao Cup in the fourth round after being utterly thrashed by Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Manchester United started with six changes to the XI that lost against Manchester City on Sunday, with Alejandro Garnacho, Hannibal Mjebri, and Mason Mount among those who were handed starts.

Despite an even opening 20 minutes, it was Newcastle United who struck first with Miguel Almiron smacking the ball past Andrè Onana. Lewis Hall soon made it two for Eddie Howe’s men, with the Gordie players heading into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Despite United controlling the first 15 minutes of the second half, Joe Willock scored a third to hand Newcastle the victory.

#1 – Clumsy midfield tackles

The midfielders really need a tackling coach – the challenges that United’s players were putting in were clumsy and reckless.

Casemiro and Hannibal were both on yellow cards within 20 minutes of the game, with the latter lucky to be on the field after receiving several warnings from the referee.

They were also cut through like butter for both goals, with all three midfielders failing basic tasks off the ball.

#2 – The whole squad looks off the pace

Further to the point above, the whole squad looks off the pace. Ten Hag’s six changes did not look like players who had fresh legs and were ready to challenge for their positions.

With Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Højlund, and Marcus Rashford all benched, this fixture looked like a perfect chance for those on the fringes to prove themselves, but the first-half performance was just depressing.

#3 – Another depressing statistic

This fixture represented United’s 10th home game of the season, they’ve conceded the first goal in six of those.

The three goals they conceded were worryingly easy for Newcastle, with the players walking back with their heads hanging low after each goal and little attempt to rejuvenate their fellow teammates.