Newcastle moved up to fifth place with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim's side lost their fourth game in a row.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton headed the Magpies into an early lead and left the home side in disarray, with Amorim replacing Joshua Zirkzee in the first half to cheers from his own supporters.
It could have been more for Newcastle: Isak's goal was disallowed for offside and Sandro Tonali hit the post. There was some reaction in the second half when Harry Maguire headed against the post, but it was a deserved win for Eddie Howe's team.
Manchester United have now lost five of their last six Premier League games and four in a row in all competitions, the last three without even scoring. They remain 14th in the table, now just seven points above the drop. Newcastle climbs to fifth place.
Man Utd's slump in the statistics
How long can Man Utd continue like this?
“With bad results it is very difficult to sell an idea,” Amorim told Sky Sports before the match. “I was hired because of that idea and if you change your mind in these difficult moments, it means the end for any coach.” But clinging to that idea also brings problems.
Manchester United were a mess against Newcastle from the start. Some of it is due to players lacking confidence. The sad sight of Zirkzee being booed off the pitch before half-time was emblematic of a group of players who look unhappy in their jobs.
But a system should make their job easier, not harder, and no matter how you look at the quality of the squad Amorim has inherited, it's increasingly difficult to argue that this isn't at least part of the problem. Too many of them look uncomfortable in their roles.
Diogo Dalot was so high up the pitch for much of the match that it would have been more natural to have a left winger there rather than a former right back. When he got the ball he could only scoop it inside rather than provide any real width.
Noussair Mazraoui did a little better on the other flank and Matthijs de Ligt does not want to be dragged into the wide areas like Alexander Isak. Lisandro Martinez is one of the few who would suit this mold and he endured a miserable evening in red.
No doubt, Amorim would rather have gotten into this job last summer or next summer than be thrust into a jam-packed schedule and asked to solve problems on the fly. But the hope would have been that he could muddle through and build for next season.
That remains the hope, but it is certainly necessary for United to pick up the thread again or risk starting the rebuild behind, which is already being doubted before he has his first full season in charge. As he himself admits, there is an idea to sell – to the players, to the public and to his bosses.
Amorim doesn't need a trophy. A season outside Europe could even make things easier. There is no expectation of united fire. Just function. But a third Premier League defeat in a row without scoring a goal is unacceptable even at this low point.
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