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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Newcastle v Man United, Premier League

Newcastle faced Man United with both sides looking to improve on disappointing starts to the season.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

It feels like an important game for both these sides.

Man United are currently 11th on nine points following their underwhelming start to the season.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are second from bottom, having picked up just five points so far.

The Red Devils have only won two Premier League games this season, and the Magpies have won just once.

Whoever prevails this afternoon will receive a much-needed morale boost, while a loss will increase the already substantial pressure on both managers.

What will the result be today?


Poll Results:

Newcastle win (289)
Man United win (240)
Draw (229)

newcastle-united-v-manchester-united-premier-league-st-james-park Crystal Ann Rod and Newcastle United's DeAndre Yedlin arriving the Premier League match at St James' Park. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

We’re underway…

Newcastle start on the front foot.

Miguel Almirón bursts towards goal, but Ashley Young is well positioned to cut out his cross.

It’s Ireland international Ciaran Clark’s 200th Premier League appearance today, nine months on from his last.

He starts on the left-hand side of Newcastle’s three-man back-line today.

It’s been a fairly scrappy, uneventful start.

There’s been no real rhythm to the match, with both sides regularly giving the ball away cheaply.

Allan Saint-Maximin skips away from McTominay before firing an effort from distance wide.

Newcastle have looked the more threatening of the two teams so far.

Yedlin has been booked for a late challenge on McTominay as United attempted to counter.

Still no real clear-cut chances for either side.

newcastle-united-v-manchester-united-premier-league-st-james-park Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce (left) and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before kick-off. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

It’s been a pretty poor opening 20 minutes.

Both sides have yet to register a shot on target — something United also didn’t do during the entirety of their Europa League match on Thursday.

Young puts in a cross, but Clark is well positioned to clear his lines.

United have been a bit better in recent minutes.

So close!

Saint-Maximin squares it to Matty Longstaff. It sits up nicely for the teenager, and his shot from the edge of the area crashes off the crossbar.

Moments later, Schar gets ahead of Ashley Young as a corner is delivered in and he heads just over from an awkward angle.

McTominay gets booked for a late challenge on Longstaff.

It was very high and VAR checks to see if the tackle is worthy of a red, before ultimately opting to stick with the original decision.

Young and Schar are both receiving treatment after an awkward collision in the United area.

It looks like both will be okay to continue though.

Almiron finds himself through on goal, but he takes too many touches, and Maguire gets back to make an excellent last-ditch block.

That’s the best chance of the game so far, and Newcastle may come to rue missing it.

Pereira finds space on the edge of the area. He subsequently tests Dubravka with a curled attempt.

Newcastle though continue to look the more dangerous side, with their swift counter-attack causing problems.

Almirón has been particularly eye-catching with his pace and direct running.

Schar does well to deal with Dalot’s dangerous cross, heading it over the bar and away from danger.

Moments later, an unmarked Harry Maguire misses a golden chance. His header from Young’s corner goes inches wide.

HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE 0-0 MAN UNITED

Half-time and it hasn’t been the best of games.

It unsurprisingly looks like a game featuring two teams short of confidence.

Newcastle have been marginally the more threatening, though chances have been at a premium.

However, Harry Maguire wasted the game’s best chance on the brink of the break — he simply should have scored with a header.

The second half has begun…

Schar gets booked for a deliberate handball as he prevents Rashford getting past him.

Down the other end, Saint-Maximin plays through Almirón, whose shot from a tight angle is well wide.

newcastle-united-v-manchester-united-premier-league-st-james-park Newcastle United's Fabian Schar reacts after heading over. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

It’s been a fairly dull, uneventful start to the second half.

Neither side has really looked like scoring.

Newcastle make a change.

Joelinton, who was a doubt coming into the game, is replaced by Andy Carroll, who should provide a very different test for the United defence.

Pereira plays a lovely curled ball in for the onrushing James.

Nevertheless, Willems does just about enough to prevent the youngster from getting to the ball.

Meanwhile, United make a change. Dalot is replaced by Marcos Rojo, who is making his first Premier League appearance since April.

Tuanzebe will now play at right-back, with the Argentine defender operating centrally alongside Maguire.

newcastle-united-v-manchester-united-premier-league-st-james-park Newcastle United's Joelinton (left) and Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe in action. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Longstaff crosses for Carroll. The experienced striker uses his strength to get in front of Tuanzebe and heads over.

Meanwhile, United make another change, with Mason Greenwood replacing the ineffectual Mata.

The Red Devils are playing with two up top now.

Yedlin does well to cut out Young’s cross as United probe.

This game is becoming a bit more open now, as both sides search for a winner.

James plays a great ball in, but Schar makes a brilliant last-ditch interception to prevent a Rashford tap-in.

United are really upping the tempo now.

NEWCASTLE 1-0 MAN UNITED (LONGSTAFF 72)

What a goal and what a moment for the teenager on his debut.

Newcastle break and Willems squares it to Longstaff, who hits a low first-time shot from the edge of the area that leaves De Gea with no chance.

Chance for United!

Young curls in a dangerous free kick and Rojo heads just over.

newcastle-united-v-manchester-united-premier-league-st-james-park Newcastle United's Matthew Longstaff scores his side's first goal of the game. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

After patient build-up play, Fred receives the ball and shoots well over.

United are lacking creativity and look short of ideas at the moment.

Pereira passes it to Fred, who fails to control the ball.

The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder has not had a good game.

Young crosses to Greenwood, but the teen’s header is tame and Dubravka makes a comfortable save.

United make a final change, as Chong comes on in place of Young.

Newcastle make a final change.

Almirón, who’s been very lively, is replaced by Krafth.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time…

United are pressing but not exactly knocking down the door.

It’s been another toothless, sub-par display.

FULL-TIME: NEWCASTLE 1-0 MAN UNITED

So that’s that.

A dream debut for Matty Longstaff, who scored the winner and generally looked impressive in Newcastle’s midfield.

It will be a big boost for Newcastle, who showed good resolve and character to come through with a win after a difficult period.

For United though, the serious problems continue. They were missing a number of players through injury and it showed.

The Red Devils were totally devoid of creativity for much of the match and seldom looked like scoring — for a team with top-four ambitions, they have been well short in an attacking sense for quite some time now.

Right, that’s all from me for now.

We’ll have more reaction to follow.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

You can read our match report here.

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