United's unbeaten run crumbles. Midfield struggles, a lack of alternative game plans, and a whole lot more. Dissecting what went wrong at St James' Park.
On Wednesday evening, Manchester United lost for the first time under Michael Carrick, when they fell to a 2-1 defeat in stoppage time away to Newcastle United.
Despite the hosts having ten men for over half the game, United could not get over the line. Truth be told, despite the numerical advantage, the goal had been coming. It was no smash and grab. It was a really abject second-half performance.
So, what went wrong?
In reality, the performances over the last few games have been concerning. Certainly not convincing. But the team had continued to grind and churn out results consistently.
Last night, they didn't get away with it. Some of the weaknesses that had been showing up in recent games were punished last night.
As sad as it is to say, Kobbie Mainoo has not been himself in the last few games. He is still an excellent player, and it is great to see him playing every week, but sometimes you have to call a spade a spade.
There are issues with the 20-year old off the ball. He still has to develop physically. And when you partner such a player with someone in Casemiro who is clearly past his physical peak, there are going to be issues.
Particularly when you go to St James' Park and play against such a physical team and in particular midfield. Even with ten men United were getting bullied in the middle of the park.
The spike in minutes for Mainoo recently has been vast. After just a few games under Carrick, he had already played more minutes than he had all season. Even with just one competition to play in and no games for another 10 days, perhaps he could be rotated out of the side for one game or so.
On the left hand side, there is a clear lack of width. Although Matheus Cunha had some moments last night, there was not enough given he was up against a 35-year old Kieran Trippier. With Luke Shaw unable to bomb up and down like he used to, United are too one dimensional on that side of the pitch.
Meanwhile, on the right, Bryan Mbeumo seriously struggled last night, and was hooked for the forgotten about Joshua Zirkzee. His performances lately have been pretty poor. Amad Diallo has also been off form lately, but perhaps he could come in for Mbeumo next time out.
Finally, and this is through nobodies fault in particular - the team clearly miss Lisandro Martinez. His contribution in build up cannot be overstated. United can treat the ball like a hot potato when he isn't there. He helps breed confidence in his team mates.
Up until now, Carrick has done a good job. However, most of what he has done has been fixing obvious Ruben Amorim mistakes. A back four, playing Mainoo, starting Bruno Fernandes in the ten role. Now it is up to him to be innovative and put his own stamp on the team. With one game a week, there is no excuse not to.
To summarise; lack of plan B, poor individual performances, a lack of physicality, and the absence of Martinez.