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#3 Raphael Varane
Manchester United signed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid to add steel to their shaky defense. The Frenchman is more than capable of offering that to his new employers, but injuries have not allowed him to properly settle in yet.
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In Premier League action for the first time since October, Varane was always going to struggle to find his footing. However, it was his uncharacteristic and rash decision-making that let him down against an electrifying Newcastle United side.
The 2018 World Cup winner overcommitted himself in the seventh minute and was easily dispossessed by Sean Longstaff. The midfielder quickly fed the ball to Saint-Maximin, who easily cast Maguire aside to put Newcastle United ahead.
The Magpies did not manage to add to their tally over the course of the night, but that was purely down to their wayward finishing. Varane did nothing to make life difficult for Newcastle on Monday night.
#2 Fred
Fred was one of the first names on the teamsheet under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as the former Manchester United manager valued the Brazilian’s tireless nature. Fred has managed to maintain his place in the team under Rangnick as well under the same pretense.
Fred’s work rate was commendable against Newcastle United as well, but the Brazil international needed to do a lot more against the struggling hosts. His distribution was poor and offered nothing to the Manchester United forwards. Newcastle easily breached his resistance and were cutting the visitors open at will.
Rangnick understood the threat his team were under and rightly subbed out Fred at half-time in place of Jadon Sancho.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo made his second Manchester United debut against Newcastle United in front of a packed Old Trafford back in September. He was adjudged the Man of the Match that day, courtesy of his double against the struggling visitors.
Last night it was his turn to be frustrated and infuriated. The Portuguese superstar was easily and comprehensively isolated by Newcastle midfielders and defenders, which neutralized the number 7’s offensive threat.
He tried to drop deep to get a feel for the ball, but gave it away far too easily. Over the course of the match, he took only 37 touches and lost possession nine times.
He whined and moaned about wasted counter-attacks and lost chances, but failed to take matters into his own hands. In the 57th minute, Ronaldo committed a reckless and dangerous challenge on Ryan Fraser.
The Portugal skipper saw a yellow for his challenge, which could have easily been a red on any other day of the week.
