Man Utd Player Ratings vs Newcastle: Joshua Zirkzee Flops in a Night to Forget for Casemiro and Amorim
Manchester United endured a humiliating defeat at the hands of Newcastle United in what is being labeled as one of the worst performances of Ruben Amorim’s tenure. The 4-1 drubbing at Old Trafford not only highlighted systemic issues in the team’s structure but also exposed individual frailties, most notably in Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro.
Focus Keyword: Man Utd Player Ratings vs Newcastle
Here’s a breakdown of the player ratings from a night the Red Devils will want to forget.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Andre Onana (4/10)
The Cameroonian shot-stopper endured a torrid evening. While he wasn’t entirely at fault for all four goals, his distribution was erratic, and he failed to organize the backline effectively. A couple of decent saves prevented further embarrassment.
Diogo Dalot (3/10)
Dalot struggled to cope with Newcastle’s relentless wing play. His positioning was suspect, and he offered little going forward. A performance that lacked conviction on both ends of the pitch.
Raphael Varane (5/10)
Varane was one of the few defenders who looked capable of managing Newcastle’s pace and physicality. However, he was often left isolated due to a lack of support from midfield.
Victor Lindelof (4/10)
Caught out of position multiple times, Lindelof failed to impose himself against Newcastle’s dynamic attackers. His lack of aggression was evident, and his decision-making under pressure was questionable.
Luke Shaw (5/10)
Shaw’s attacking intent was evident, but his defensive discipline was lacking. He left too much space for Newcastle’s wide players to exploit, contributing to their dominance on the flanks.
Midfield
Casemiro (2/10)
A nightmarish performance from the Brazilian, who looked sluggish and off the pace. Casemiro was constantly overrun by Newcastle’s midfield trio and misplaced several key passes. His lack of energy and awareness left Manchester United exposed, and his influence was non-existent.
Christian Eriksen (4/10)
Eriksen failed to provide the creative spark the team needed. While he showed glimpses of his passing range, he struggled to cope with the physicality of Newcastle’s midfield and offered little defensively.
Bruno Fernandes (5/10)
The captain tried to lead by example but was often forced to drop deep to retrieve the ball, limiting his impact in the final third. Bruno’s frustration was visible, and his decision-making became erratic as the game progressed.
Forwards
Joshua Zirkzee (1/10)
The Dutch striker delivered a performance to forget. Zirkzee looked completely out of his depth, failing to hold up play, link with teammates, or pose any threat in front of goal. His lack of movement and physicality was glaring, and questions must be asked about his readiness for this level.
Marcus Rashford (4/10)
Rashford was anonymous for much of the game, rarely finding opportunities to run at defenders. His body language suggested a lack of confidence, and his decision-making in key moments was poor.
Antony (5/10)
Antony showed flashes of brilliance with his dribbling but lacked end product. He failed to provide the consistent threat United needed to stretch Newcastle’s defense.
Substitutes
Mason Mount (5/10)
Came on in the second half but failed to influence proceedings. Mount’s introduction added little to United’s midfield struggles.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10)
One of the few bright sparks, Garnacho brought energy and directness off the bench. However, his impact was too little, too late.
Scott McTominay (5/10)
Offered some physicality but was unable to stem the tide as Newcastle continued to dominate.
Manager
Ruben Amorim (2/10)
This performance raises serious questions about Amorim’s tactical approach. His decision to persist with a disjointed midfield and an ineffective striker like Zirkzee backfired spectacularly. Newcastle exposed United’s defensive vulnerabilities and overran their midfield with alarming ease.
Conclusion
The defeat to Newcastle wasn’t just a bad day at the office; it was a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues plaguing Manchester United. From Zirkzee’s ineptitude to Casemiro’s uncharacteristically poor display, the team failed to deliver on all fronts.
If Amorim hopes to salvage the season, significant changes are required both in personnel and strategy. The upcoming fixtures will be critical, as fans grow increasingly restless with the team’s inconsistency and lack of fight.
