Manchester United failed to secure all three points as they settled for a goalless draw against a hard-fighting Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Man United starting XI vs Newcastle: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Bruno (C), Antony, Sancho, Ronaldo.
Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn, Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton, Murphy, Almirón, Wilson.
Manchester United opened the game with a chance in the 3rd minute of play.
After Jadon Sancho cut back to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star sends it to Fred who fired wide off the far post.
Manchester United ramped up early pressure on the visitors, but a perfect defending by Newcastle saw off the offense.
A penalty shout by Newcastle in the 9th minute was not given as Wilson fell down after going past Varane.
Manchester United had a chance again in the 11th minute, but Jadon Sancho’s long-ranger flew wide off the post.
The Red Devils dominated the midfield but were limited to potshots as Newcastle United creatively counter their efforts when approaching the box.
Newcastle’s chance came in the 23rd minute. Joelington won a freekick when he was brought down close to the United box.
Trippier took it but was blocked by the wall. The rebound was shot back into the box right onto the head of Joelington, whose header hit the bar, and another rebound hit the post.
It was still Man United nill Newcastle nill with few minutes left to play in the first half of the game.
Ronaldo came close with another chance for a goal as Nick Pope was off his line.
The Portuguese took a lob, which Nick Pope pointed over his head, with the ball looping toward the goal before Newcastle’s defender cleared it.
The offside flag was raised as well, ruling off the effort.
After Man United’s distance and wasted opportunities, Newcastle United became more dangerous when charging forward.
The visitors delivered set pieces perfectly and were threatening the Man United defense.
The first half ended 0-0, with Manchester United blundering when getting to the Newcastle box.
The second half started with more drama as the Premier League giants capitalized on the home advantage to double their efforts to find a goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 48th-minute goal was ruled out by the center referee for offside, while in the 49th minute, Ronaldo was shown a yellow card.
Schaf had played a freekick to Pope, who did not touch the ball before Cristiano Ronaldo poked it home and got a yellow card.
Manchester United also had a penalty appeal ruled out in the 54th minute after the VAR check; Trippier brought down Jadon Sancho in the box, but the penalty was not given.
The game continued with both sides unable to score a goal, but the Red Devils looked more composed and dangerous when having the ball.
Newcastle took off Jacob Murphy and brought in Ryan Fraser as the coach looked to turn the game around.
Manchester United were still the better side; Antony’s 64th-minute strike was straight to Nick Pope, who saved it with ease.
Cristiano Ronaldo was brought off in the 71st minute for Marcus Rashford, and it was obvious from his facial expression that he was not happy being taken off.
The game continued with both sides unable to find the back of the net till the final whistle, as they shared the spoils with a barren draw.
