Manchester United’s 100% start to the new season came to a spluttering halt at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the impotent hosts failing to break down Newcastle.
United, with Bastian Schweinsteiger enjoying his first start of the new season, started brightly, with Memphis Depay looking the most likely to open the scoring.
Wayne Rooney had a goal ruled out for offside early on as the Red Devils pushed for an opener.
Juan Mata and Rooney again saw efforts saved as the Magpies clung on.
However, as the half progressed, Steve McClaren’s side started to assert themselves, with Aleksandar Mitrovic hitting the woodwork with a header on 23 minutes.
After the break, United continued to look for a goal but were always left open to the counter-attack. Louis van Gaal then sent on Javier Hernandez for Adnan Januzaj and the Mexican forced a fine save out of Tim Krul went one-on-one with the Dutch ‘keeper.
Late on, Chris Smalling saw his header come back off the frame of the goal.
Sub Florian Thauvin then came within a whisker of pinching a goal for the Magpies.
However, the visitors held on to secure a deserved point and end a run of seven straight away defeats. As for United, with Rooney continuing to misfire, the need for another central striker is there for all to see.
(Highlights: Dailymotion)
(Vine: OnSideAr)