Premier League, Matchday 19, Boxing Day: Manchester United saves a point in Newcastle (1-1) thanks to Edinson Cavani

For Manchester United, the digestion of the Christmas meal is complicated. For their return to competition after two weeks of forced rest, the Red Devils could not do better than a draw on the lawn of Newcastle, penultimate and worst defense in the Premier League (1-1). Without rhythm, they did not go far from the correctional, and it was necessary for Edinson Cavani to put on his supersub costume to respond to the opening scoring signed Allan Saint-Maximin. In the standings, the Mancuniens remain stuck in seventh place.

A defense too easily put in difficulty, imprecise gestures, approximations, an attack without idea, a Cristiano Ronaldo too quickly annoyed … Manchester United had not played since December 11 (victory against Norwich) and it was seen facing Newcastle. Seriously short of points, the Magpies bravely played their luck throughout the game. And they would have deserved to win if we refer to the poor performance of the Red Devils, with no real solution against one of the worst teams of the season. Newcastle, for example, could count on a huge Allan Saint-Maximin, very dangerous on each of his ball catches. It is even he who allowed himself to open the scoring, thanks to a good sequence in the area (1-0, 7th).

Fortunately there was Cavani

This conceded goal should have brought the Mancuniens out of their torpor, but everything was too complicated this Monday evening, at the end of the 19th day. Without David de Gea, Manchester United would undoubtedly have conceded a second goal (23rd, 47th, 63rd, 72nd, 88th). Offensively, the men of Ralf Rangnick woke up a little after the break and the entry of Edinson Cavani gave color to the Red Devils. On his first attempt, the Uruguayan unscrewed (55th). The second ? It was pushed back on him, which allowed him to equalize with a little success (1-1, 71st). Never resolved to abdicate, the Magpies made their opponents tremble until the end, touching the post in the final moments (88th).

Suffice to say that Manchester United is doing very, very well in this part. The cogs were a little rusty after several long days of hiatus. But it was on arrival a missed opportunity to get closer to the top 4, while Newcastle remained on three big defeats in the league. This point of draw does not do the business of the Magpies either. They could have achieved encouraging success and, instead, remain stuck in the red zone (19th).