Showing a passion and solidity sometimes lacking from their hosts, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle had the best chance of the game with an extraordinary double header from Joelinton in the first half that came first off the crossbar then off the post.“We’ve had our moments and chances today. I’m very proud of our players and what they’ve given, especially the defensive performance,” Howe told reporters.
Ronaldo has only scored twice this season for Manchester United, with some pundits already declaring the 37-year-old to be in the twilight of his brilliant career. “We have four games in 10 days. We have to keep the strikers fresh. We have to rotate,” he told reporters.“It will come. Our strikers will score and they will score a lot. I am confident of that. As long as we keep working hard.”The result left Manchester United fifth on 16 points, with Newcastle sixth on 15 points with one more game played.
Marcus Rashford, on as a substitute for Ronaldo, set up Fred with a late chance but the midfielder pulled his shot just wide. Rashford then missed a header in the final minute as Manchester United pressed for what would have been an undeserved winner.