Despite having 62% possession and only two shots on goal, the hosts will be disappointed that Jadon Sancho was not awarded a penalty after being felled by Sean Longstaff inside the box in the second half.
Although Joelinton hit the crossbar twice in quick succession in the first half, the Reds were more dangerous in the second, with substitute Marcus Rashford heading a great chance narrowly wide from the game’s final attack.
Despite a promising start, which included a shot off target by Fred, the game devolved into a scrappy stop-start affair with no real flow. Newcastle had the best half-time opening and were unlucky not to score in the 24th minute. When the visitors were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, Callum Wilson had already appealed in vain for a foul by Raphael Varane as he advanced on goal.
Kieran Trippier’s shot struck the post, but the Magpies captain volleyed the rebound in to Joelinton, whose header rebounded off the crossbar. Joelinton could only nod against the keeper’s right-hand post with De Gea stranded, and Diogo Dalot gratefully knocked it behind for a corner. De Gea saved a Dan Burn effort earlier in the game, and Wilson flicked a corner just out of reach of Bruno Guimaraes. United had chances as well, but Sancho flashed wide and also set up Antony after a good run, but Nick Pope saved the Brazilian’s attempt from a tight angle.
The first period ended with several stoppages for Newcastle players to receive treatment, and manager Eddie Howe’s game plan working as his team had not been troubled in defence. Cristiano Ronaldo did have the ball in the net, but the assistant referee’s flag and television replays confirmed that he was offside. After feeling a free-kick had been taken, the no.7 found the net again, stealing the ball as Nick Pope lined it up, but all he got for his trouble was a yellow card.
After being picked out from a corner, Miguel Almiron could only lift a shot into the Stretford End, and there was little goalmouth action until Rashford, on for Ronaldo, looked just onside as he burst past Pope and decided to square it. Unfortunately, even at full stretch, Fred was unable to convert with the goal gaping. Rashford had the best chance to win it in the fifth and final minute of injury time, but he nodded Casemiro’s accurate cross just wide of the far post.
