MANCHESTER UNITED'S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total, even if they win all of their last six games.
It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.
Sandro Tonali's volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho's goal.
Here is how ‘s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances.
ALTAY BAYINDIR – 4
All eyes were on the Turkish goalie as he replaced the dropped Andre Onana.
He didn’t put a foot wrong in the early stages of his Premier League debut and made a superb save to deny Alexander Isak in the first half.
But that all went to pot as the Red Devils began to crumble, and he gift-wrapped one the Magpies the fourth when chipping straight to Joelinton.
Set the nerves jangling a few more times to leave the manager with one big question – is it time for Tom Heaton to come in?
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 4
Looked to be doing alright in the opening period as he often teamed up with Diogo Dalot to try keep out Harvey Barnes
Though, like his team-mates, absolutely went to pieces once Newcastle stepped it up.
His mistake for the third goal summed up his poor display.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 5
Marshalled the defence well as the centre of the three during the first period.
But the Swede must have felt like the boy with his finger in the dike next to Yoro and Mazraoui.
Looked a man with the world on his shoulders once he got the armband late on and will no doubt have been counting down the seconds until full time.
LENY YORO – 4
Not the finest display from the young Frenchmen, who was booked for tussling before a corner in the opening period.
Huge question marks over him positionally for Newcastle’s first two goals.
And then a sloppy pass out that almost led to another goal midway through the second period typified this abject performance.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
Could have been stronger in a few first half challenges but offered a lot of threat in the United attacks.
His pace led to the equaliser but once couldn’t make any more of an impact in the second period.
And he will be upset that he failed to shut out the threat of two-goal Barnes.
MANUEL UGARTE – 5
Was unfortunate to go into the book early doors for what looked to be a great tackle on Tino Livramento and that meant he had to play the rest of the game on a tightrope.
It was his sloppy play that gave the ball away for Newcastle’s opener but he made up for that by outpowering Joelinton to create the equaliser.
But he was one of those that failed to step up and protect the defence once the floodgates started to open.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5
The Dane did constantly want the ball but did very little with it.
Outpowered, outworked and well off the pace once the going got tough.
The magic appears to be waning.
HARRY AMASS – 5
The 18-year-old was another making his first Premier League start and struggled with the physicality at times.
Struggled to make much of an impact going up against Jacob Murphy in attack.
And he was caught a yard off it in the build-up to Newcastle’s second before he was taken off.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5
Intelligent performance during the first 45 minutes from the United captain.
But as his defence caved in to hand Newcastle the win, their leader was nowhere to be seen.
There was only one Bruno left smiling today – and they were wearing Black and White.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
His pace was a constant thorn and danger to the Newcastle defence.
And he showed great composure with a fine finish to level.
Though a sloppy pullback on a rare counter after the break was his last piece of action.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 7
The Dutch forward recovered from a sloppy pass early on to produce another encouraging display.
Came close to an opener after neat play with Bruno Fernandes and battled well with Toon’s big boys Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.
Unfortunately, just as it looked like the 23-year-old’s form was building up, his season could be in threat now as he was forced off with a hamstring injury.
SUBS:
MASON MOUNT (on for Garnacho 55 mins) – 5
Struggled to make any impact.
Like those before him, he found the Toon midfield was too hungry, physical and just simply wanted it more.
RASMUS HOJLUND (on for Zirkzee 55 mins) – 4
Tried to get involved physically with Schar and Burn but had zero luck.
Offered nothing as his side rolled over and died.
PATRICK DORGU (on for Amass 55 mins) – 5
Couple of nice touches but nothing of note. Not many will remember his fleeting out this afternoon.
LUKE SHAW (on for Mazraoui 77 mins) – 5
The only positive for him was minutes in the tank.
Came on at centre-half next to Lindelof for the closing stages and fortunately helped to not concede any more.
KOBBIE MAINOO (on for Fernandes 81 mins) – N/A
