Manchester United suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Monday, as goals from Aleksandar Isak and Joelton marked a disappointing end to the Red Devils’ 2024 and the manager Increased pressure on Ruben Amorim.
Just two months into his tenure, Amorim admitted this week that his job is on the line until results start to improve.
The Portuguese has won just two of his first nine league games to leave United in 14th place, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton scored inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth straight win moved the Magpies up to fifth.
Amorim stood stunned at what he was witnessing in the first half as Newcastle cut the home side apart at will.
There were just three minutes left on the clock when Isk headed in Lewis Hall’s cross inside the six-yard box and scored for a sixth consecutive Premier League game. Space provided.
United sorely missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes as Newcastle’s midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Gomaris and Joelinton played easily alongside the aging pairing of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Isaac blew a great chance to double the visitors’ lead when he attempted a dunk on Andre Onana and the Swedish striker also had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, it was only a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Julianton swooped in to meet Anthony Gordon’s cross.
Amorim responded after just 33 minutes by replacing Joshua Zerkezi with Kobi Minno – a move welcomed by a frustrated Old Trafford crowd.
Tonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defence.
However, Eddie Howe’s men almost gifted the Red Devils a way back into the game before half-time.
Rasmus Hojlund missed a great chance to pull a goal back when the Dane fired wide to beat Martin Dubravka.
Casemiro squandered an even better chance after Fabian Schar presented possession to Mino.
Amorim’s half-time pep talk at least paid off as United started the second half much better.
Harry Maguire’s header came back off the post before Hall blocked De Litte’s goal-bound follow-up effort.
Marcus Rashford was restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but was on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Amorim turned to another outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make the difference.
But the Argentina international was introduced just as Newcastle were riding the storm and beginning to assert control once again.
A third consecutive defeat in the home league for the first time since 1979 is the latest in a list of sad statistics that have marked United’s decade of decline.
The fear for Amorim is that the losing streak looks set to last only until 2025.
A tough trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday before United travel to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.