Premier League
Result: Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United
Date: 21 February 2021
Venue: Old Trafford
Manchester United moved back into second position on the Premier League standings with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United made two changes with Scott McTominay being replaced in midfield by Nemanja Matic, while Edinson Cavani was replaced by Dan James. Newcastle made just one alteration with Joelinton coming in for Dwight Gayle.
In the fourth minute Jonjo Shelvey slipped as he crossed and David de Gea punched the ball as far as Joelinton whose shot deflected before being tipped over by the United keeper.
The game went through a bit of a lull as the Red Devils looked a bit leggy from their European commitments in midweek with Steve Bruce's side looking the more energetic of the two.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side took the lead slightly against the run of play on the half-hour mark when Marcus Rashford received the ball on the left and he nutmegged Emil Krafht before firing a shot which beat Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow at his near post.
The Magpies were level six minutes later. Joe Willock delivered to the far post and Harry Maguire's attempted clearance fell to Allan Saint-Maximin, who thundered it into the roof of the net.
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Five minutes after the interval, Saint-Maximin worked some space and unleashed a shot at De Gea from just outside the penalty area, but the low strike was well gathered by the goalkeeper.
The Red Devils restored their advantage in the 57th minute. Matic fed Bruno Fernandes who touched it on to James and he fired past the onrushing Darlow at his near post.
Ryan Fraser was introduced by Bruce to inject a bit of energy into his tiring side and the Scotsman almost made an instant impact when he cut in from the right and fizzed in a low shot that De Gea had to hang on to.
United won a penalty in the 74th minute when Rashford was brought down by Willock. Fernandes stepped up and converted from the spot for his sixth goal in six games in all competitions.
Maguire had a chance to add some gloss to the result when he rose highest to meet a corner in the closing stages but headed narrowly wide, as three goals were enough to send United second.
