Manchester United lost ground in the race for the top four of the Premier League after being held by Newcastle in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
With fourth-place Chelsea winning 2-0 at Aston Villa, the
London club moved three points clear of United in fifth, with Erik ten Hag
drawing for the first time since taking charge at Old Trafford.
Substitute Marcus Rashford could have secured a late win for
the home team but Newcastle held on for the point after the forward failed to
convert Casemiro’s cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Newcastle looked dangerous in the first half, with Callum
Wilson seeing an early penalty appeal ignored before Joelinton hit the crossbar
and sent his follow-up onto the post.
In the second half United improved and Cristiano Ronaldo saw
two goals ruled out.
Sean Longstaff’s challenge on Jadon Sancho was among a
string of dismissed penalty appeals.
Groans greeted the unsatisfactory conclusion of an afternoon
that had started with cheers for former United manager Alex Ferguson as he made
presentations to two of his finest signings.
Ronaldo was given an engraved plate after scoring his 700th
club goal last weekend, with David De Gea receiving a plate to mark the fact
Sunday was his 500th United appearance.
Newcastle could have been celebrating a 24th-minute goal
when Kieran Trippier’s free kick struck the wall, but the right back reacted
quickly to lift a cross to Joelinton, who headed onto the crossbar.
De Gea was on the ground as Joelinton met the rebound, only
to head onto the post.