Manchester United’s humbling 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park was perhaps a fitting microcosm of the club’s 2024/25 season.
Moments of brilliance were yet again drowned out by large periods defined by entirely avoidable errors and poor judgement.
Diogo Dalot fed Alejandro Garnacho to secure a somewhat undeserved first-half equaliser against a dominant Newcastle outfit.
There was a moment of near-perfection well before that, with Joshua Zirkzee showcasing some wonderful one-touch play to craft an early opportunity that came to no avail.
Noussair Mazraoui was poor against Newcastle
To be completely fair to Noussair Mazraoui, he was hardly alone in posting a diabolically poor defensive outing in the North East.
Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof were likewise culprits in what was an appalling (‘so bad’ in the words of Samuel Luckhurst on X) joint-showing from United’s three-man backline.
So poor from #MUFC defensively. Livramento went past Dalot like he wasn’t there, then Lindelof + Yoro somehow allow Barnes all the space he could want.
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) April 13, 2025
That might be checkmate. So bad from all three United centre backs. #mufc made a good fist of it for an hour but early second-half goal and raft of subs have restored normality.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 13, 2025
Statistically, however, the former Bayern Munich fullback was awarded the second-worst rating (5.8/10) on the pitch (and the worst rating in the defensive trio) behind goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.
Sofascore‘s full statistical breakdown of Mazraoui’s latest showing in the league won’t make for pretty viewing for Ruben Amorim or United fans:
- 37 touches
- 1 clearance
- 1 blocked shot
- Dribbled past once
- 1 error leading to a goal
- 4/5 ground duels won
- 1/4 aerial duels won
- 26/30 passes completed (87%)
Manchester United must address weak mentality
In fairness, it would be disingenuous of us to suggest this was a game of serious import to Ruben Amorim’s outfit.
The Premier League campaign has been dead and buried since the turn of the year, with our Europa League campaign instead taking centre stage. A win at home against Lyon would see United go through to the semi-finals of the competition.
