This must be said clearly and without hesitation: Newcastle United have a far better squad than their results suggest. However, the team is being very poorly managed by Eddie Howe, whose tactical shortcomings are now fully exposed. Newcastle are badly coached, and after throwing away points following a 2–0 first-half lead against Chelsea, their defeat today against Manchester United marked what felt like the final opportunity for Howe’s side to return to a winning path and push toward the top of the table.
Manchester United dominated the first half. In the second half, Newcastle offered much stronger resistance. For weeks now, Anthony Gordon, Newcastle’s winger and England international, has been outstanding—beating players with sharp dribbles and delivering excellent crosses. Yet the team fails to capitalize on his form, and without Nick Woltemade on the pitch, Newcastle lack real attacking threat.
Manchester United played a tactically disciplined match in which Doku excelled, showing great solidity in his position and scoring the decisive goal.
Defensively, United look far more stable with Lisandro Martínez back in the team. Although he is still not at his absolute best following injury, he is clearly the best defender Ruben Amorim has at his disposal. Since Martínez’s return, Manchester United have become more compact, competitive, and organized.
On the other side, Eddie Howe continues to insist on Ramsdale as his first-choice goalkeeper, losing a great deal by excluding Nick Pope, who is far more commanding, composed, and authoritative between the posts.
Howe has a strong, expensive, and high-quality squad. This is a team capable of controlling possession, with Sandro Tonali as a playmaker who can dominate any Premier League side with his passing range.
Newcastle are failing to fully exploit Gordon’s excellent form, which—combined with Lewis Hall and Tonali—could make the left side a major attacking weapon. Instead, Howe introduced Joelinton, Wissa, and Barnes first two completely out of form.
Wissa, who is completely out of form, contributed absolutely nothing. Joelinton, who has been starting matches from the bench for weeks, stood out only for his physicality and one long-range attempt that went nowhere near the goal.
Why was Woltemade taken off again? He is a striker who consistently finds the right spaces and scores goals, yet he is regularly substituted around the 70th minute. At this stage of the season, matches are tight, and there is little room for rotation. Woltemade must stay on the pitch if the alternative is Wissa.
Wissa offers very little compared to a striker who scores regularly. Nick Woltemade, who is a forward who consistently delivers goals in the Premier League, is the dream of many clubs and managers.
Joelinton’s impact off the bench was minimal, and once Tonali was substituted, Newcastle completely lost attacking tempo and rhythm. Tonali was taken off after receiving a yellow card, although earlier, he was involved in another incident where Dorgu struck him in the face without punishment.
Barnes’ constant use as a substitute is also difficult to understand. Based on his reputation and previous results at Newcastle, Howe was expected to be a manager who improves teams, delivers results, and develops players.
Howe does not have ideas in Newcastle
Instead, in the matches where leadership truly matters in the Premier League, we are left with disappointment. Howe’s vision, squad management, tactical setup, and lack of cohesion are now clearly reflected in Newcastle’s results, leaving them far from the top positions.
For weeks, Howe has appeared uncertain, but his handling of the match against Manchester United was catastrophic. Even worse, it is now evident that he is not good enough to lead Newcastle in such a competitive environment. His mistakes are not limited to substitutions or attacking play—they stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of his squad’s strengths.
Newcastle, a club with a very strong team, deserve a better manager—one who builds a clear strategy, makes structured substitutions, and truly understands the quality of his players.
Howe should have maximized Gordon’s form, managed Tonali more intelligently, and given Guimarães a greater role while embracing a more attacking approach.
When an opponent defends as deeply as Manchester United did after the 60th minute, the team must work relentlessly to break them down. Under Howe, Newcastle struggles to sustain pressure, lacks attacking continuity, and is simply unable to break down organised defences like United’s.
After Shaw’s exit, Manchester United fully committed to defending, with Dorgu outstanding. Newcastle created a few half-chances, but aside from Gordon’s two moments, they offered very little.
This was Manchester United’s first home win at Old Trafford since September. Newcastle, meanwhile, are likely to drop further down the table once the remaining matches of the 18th Premier League round are played.
Manchester United has been defending since the 60th minute and has resisted Newcastle’s attacks. Antony Gordon was very close to scoring; he had hit the frame. It is unusual for United to be defending, but in the absence of Diallo and Mbeuemo, who are key attacking players for the team, Manchester was defending.
Eddie Howe in Newcastle will no longer be a good idea. There is no cohesion and chemistry
Newcastle are sinking. With a squad of this quality, it is alarming how clear it has become that Eddie Howe is no longer capable of leading the team forward. His project at Newcastle, once on the rise, now appears to be nearing its end. It is only a matter of time before the club’s ownership loses faith in the English manager.
On the other hand, Manchester United have now reached 24 points, level with Chelsea and Liverpool, who both have superior goal difference and still have matches to play in this round.
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