Newcastle player ratings v Manchester United: One man weak link in outstanding team display
Forwards
Ayoze Perez – 6: Still operating as the playmaker/number 10 behind the lone striker of Dwight Gayle, Perez struggled to have the impact desired. He did not find the ball at his feet enough to deliver what was expected, but he ran around plenty to keep the visitors’ defence under pressure.
Dwight Gayle – 7: With Islam Slimani still out through injury and Joselu coming back from an illness, it was last season’s top scorer who was chosen to lead the line. He has always struggled as a lone forward and Sunday was no different, with the physicality of Manchester United’s defenders dominating him. Still, got a good touch on the ball to set up Ritchie for the opener.
Click below to reveal how the Newcastle substitutes got on…