Troubled Man Utd keep alive European hopes with win over Newcastle

Erik ten Hag's side are battling to secure a seventh place finish in the Premier League, which could secure a place in next season's UEFA Conference League.

United will qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25. But if City triumph at Wembley then seventh will be enough for a Conference League spot.

And eighth-placed United are still in the hunt for that place after beating Newcastle to move level on points with the seventh-placed Magpies. Goals from Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford gave United only their third win in nine league games.

However, United's goal difference is vastly inferior to Newcastle's, meaning they must better the Magpies' result in the last game of the season. United travel to Brighton on Sunday, while Newcastle head to Brentford.

Newcastle's defeat means fifth-placed Tottenham are guaranteed to be in the Europa League next season. Sixth placed Chelsea won 2-1 at Brighton in Wednesday's other game to move closer to European qualification after a turbulent campaign.

United embarked on a sheepish 'lap of honour' after their final home game of the season. And, while it has hardly been a campaign to celebrate, this was a much-needed result as Ten Hag fights to avoid the sack at the end of a season that ranks as one of United's worst in the Premier League era.

United's first half dominance was rewarded in the 31st minute when Diallo's deflected pass found Mainoo completely unmarked thanks to Kieran Trippier's sloppy marking. The teenage midfielder looked shocked he had so much time and space as he picked his spot with a low finish from 12 yards.

Much-maligned for his shaky displays at centre-back recently, Casemiro came to United's rescue as the Brazilian midfielder nodded Dan Burn's header off the line just inches before it crossed. It was a warning United failed to heed as Newcastle drew level in the 49th minute.

 

May 15, 2024

United hold on

The leaky drainage in the Old Trafford roof, exposed during a thunderstorm in Sunday's loss to Arsenal, had provoked much mockery from frustrated fans.

But it was the holes in United's defence that proved more alarming for Ten Hag as Anthony Gordon was given the freedom of the penalty area to convert Jacob Murphy's cross with a close-range volley.

Ten Hag's angst was short-lived as United regained the advantage in the 57th minute when Newcastle could only clear Bruno Fernandes' corner to Diallo, who lashed a fierce shot past Martin Dubravka from just inside the area.

Hojlund came off the bench to net in the 84th minute with a lethal finish after evading two defenders, but Lewis Hall's stoppage-time curler from long-range kept United sweating until the end.

 

May 15, 2024

At the Amex Stadium, Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead with the 22nd league goal of his superb season in the 34th minute. Ignoring the boos from the stands, former Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella chipped his cross towards Palmer, who looped a clinical header past Bart Verbruggen.

Christopher Nkunku doubled Chelsea's advantage in the 64th minute with his third league goal of an injury-plagued first season with the club. Nkunku finished off Malo Gusto's cross to leave Brighton deflated and celebrated by blowing up a blue balloon lying on the pitch.

Chelsea defender Reece James was sent off in the 88th minute for kicking Joao Pedro after being knocked over by the Brighton striker. Danny Welbeck's close-range finish in the seventh minute of stoppage-time came too late to stop Chelsea recording four successive league wins for the first time since October 2022.

Mauricio Pochettino's side host Bournemouth on Sunday knowing a draw will be enough to earn a European berth, with fifth place still in play if they win and Tottenham lose at Sheffield United.

 

May 15, 2024