Manchester United lost three straight home league matches for the first time in the Premier League era as Newcastle United deservedly ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
An unwanted 60-year record was broken for Man United during an appalling first half from Ruben Amorim's side, who became the first Red Devils team since 1964 to concede as many as 18 goals in a single month.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton bullied the Red Devils' defenders in the air to give the merciless Magpies a healthy lead, and such was the pitiful nature of Man United's display that Joshua Zirkzee was substituted in the 33rd minute to cheers from the Old Trafford faithful.
The introduction of the effervescent Kobbie Mainoo for a dejected Zirkzee did breathe new life into the hosts, but not enough to fix their toothlessness in attack, and Newcastle never looked in any real danger of throwing it away.
While Newcastle remain fifth in the Premier League rankings, the gap to fourth-placed Chelsea - who lost 2-0 at Ipswich Town - is now just three points, while 14th-placed Man United are just seven points clear of the relegation zone.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
So, Erik ten Hag anyone?
Much like the leaky Old Trafford roof, there was never going to be a quick fix to the mess that Man United find themselves in - no good sugar-coating it, the Red Devils are in a mess - and Amorim above all else knew that better than anyone when he agreed to this project.
However, to use the age-old cliche, it really was men against boys in the first half of Monday's affair, where the ageing midfield of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were bypassed easily and Martinez hugely let himself down at the back.
Zirkzee's premature substitution only added to the second-hand embarrassment the home crowd must have felt, and even though the Mainoo-reinforced hosts looked much less lost in the second period, the die was cast early on as their losing run in all tournaments stretched to four matches.
As Man United fight their fight in the lower echelons of the table - some might say they are in a relegation scrap - Eddie Howe's Newcastle were everything the hosts were not on the night; well-drilled, confident, motivated and, most importantly, possessing the belief that they would win.
A return to the Europa League surely beckons for the Magpies at the very least, and if Chelsea's plight continues in the coming weeks, a Champions League charge surely cannot be out of the question either.
MAN UNITED VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS
Alexander Isak goal vs. Man United (4th min, Man United 0-1 Newcastle)
Erling Haaland who? Magpies marksman Isak is the Scandinavian sensation taking the Premier League by storm right now, as he extends his top-flight scoring streak to six games!
Bruno Guimaraes sprays a delightful long pass out to Lewis Hall on the left, and the full-back's delivery takes a slight deflection off of Noussair Mazraoui, which helps the ball on its way to Isak.
Harry Maguire is staring into space, Lisandro Martinez is too far back, and Isak has all the time in the world to send a bullet header into the ground and into the net.
Joelinton goal vs. Man United (19th min, Man United 0-2 Newcastle)
A thoroughly deserved second, but one that is clouded in a little bit of controversy! Newcastle play through the non-existent Man United midfield with total ease and eventually work the ball to Anthony Gordon on the left.
The winger's inswinging cross is met by Joelinton, who outmuscles and outjumps Martinez to nod the ball home, but did he use his arm?
The replays suggest so, but the point of contact must have been above the threshold or cut-off point; whatever you want to call it, the goal is given.
MAN OF THE MATCH - LEWIS HALL
As Hall's delicate cross for Isak took a deflection on its way to the striker, the defender was not officially credited with the assist, but take nothing away from another display well beyond the 20-year-old's years.
Hall was a perpetual attacking threat, having three shots and drawing two fouls, while also making a clearance off the line to avoid a nervy finish for the Champions League chasers.
MAN UNITED VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 53%-47% Newcastle
Shots: Man United 10-12 Newcastle
Shots on target: Man United 1-4 Newcastle
Corners: Man United 2-3 Newcastle
Fouls: Man United 13-8 Newcastle
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
An off-colour Man United could hardly be beginning 2025 with a pair of more challenging assignments; they head to runaway leaders Liverpool on January 5 before an FA Cup third-round date with Arsenal seven days later.
Coincidentally, Newcastle also face the Gunners in their second game of the New Year - an EFL Cup semi-final first leg on January 7 - prior to which they face a daunting Premier League date of their own at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
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