Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle: Five things noticed, including REALLY obvious point

Manchester United were back to winning ways on Wednesday evening, as Erik ten Hag’s side secured a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League.

With Manchester United needing victory to draw level on points with Newcastle, Erik ten Hag hoped to drop Ramsus Højlund to the bench as Bruno Fernandes returned to the side.

The tie started with both sides taking shots at each other. However, it was a brilliant finish from Kobbie Mainoo that handed the home side a lead, with Casemiro and Amad Diallo certainly earning their praises as the half-time whistle was blown.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Newcastle (Premier League)

However, the second half saw Newcastle push for a goal right from kick-off, and minutes later, Anthony Gordon found a breakthrough to equalise for the visitors with a fantastic first-time finish.

Amad, who was a potent threat all night at Old Trafford, then stepped up to score a stunning effort 10 minutes later, slamming the ball home after a corner to hand United their lead back. Although the tie remained tense, a goal from substitute Rasmus Højlund with 10 minutes left to play relieved pressure.

Although, very much in United fashion, the side conceded a stunning goal from Lewis Hall in injury time to bring the game back to 3-2,

Here are five things we noticed from the fixture.

#1 – Different with Bruno, and it’s so obvious

Regardless of the result, it’s stunning just how different (and often better) United are when Bruno Fernandes is playing compared to when he’s out.

Due to injury, Fernandes has not played either of United’s last two games, but against Newcastle, he started as a false nine and was nothing short of fantastic. It’s clear and obvious that he runs the show at the club, and he is missed dearly when we don’t play.

Although he went off holding his hamstring, hopefully, this isn’t a sign of a real injury.

#2 – Drop Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho looks tired. He has been United’s most consistent forward this season and will start against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but he needs a rest against Brighton.

Just like Højlund was on the bench on Wednesday evening, Garnacho needs time to reset before what will be United’s most important game of the season, and with Amad performing well and Rashford needing minutes, too, it is the best possible time to do so.

#3 – Casemiro, villain to hero?

Casemiro has been shocking over the last few weeks, filling in an auxiliary role at centre-back alongside Jonny Evans, but the first 45 minutes against Newcastle saw him make several goal-stopping moves to deny Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn.

With both Lisandro Martínez and Willy Kambwala returning to the squad and Raphaël Varane set to return on Sunday against Brighton, this is likely the last time we will see Casemiro play at centre-back. This means he will be able to return to midfield for the final two games.

If transfer rumours are true, these may be the final two games of his United career, so hopefully, he makes them two of his best.

#4 – Amad Diallo has ARRIVED

So many people have wondered why Amad has not been starting matches during the second half of this season, and after tonight, those questions have only become more relevant.

While Antony has been on the wing on many occasions, Amad has been patiently waiting for his chance, and boy did he take it against Arsenal and Newcastle.

Playing 82 minutes, he received a huge ovation as part of a big set of substitutions for United that saw the return of Martínez and Marcus Rashford.

#5 – A good feeling before the final

This was United’s final game of the season at Old Trafford, and it was a game that brought good feelings. Bar the 10 minutes where Newcastle had an equaliser, there were many positives to take from the game.

Fernandes, Martínez, and Rashford’s returns are very welcome, while Amad and Rasmus Højlund’s goals will boost their confidence.

Ahead of the FA Cup final next Saturday, these are only good signs.