Newcastle ends Manchester United’s League Cup defence with a 3-0 victory.
Manchester United’s League Cup defence came to an end on Wednesday with a 3-0 loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford, putting even more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
An eighth defeat in all competitions this season was the latest setback for English soccer’s most historic club, which now faces another season of despair.
On Sunday, United lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League, and Saudi-backed Newcastle followed suit, raising fresh doubts about Ten Hag’s capacity to restore the club to its previous glory.
Goals in the first half from substitute Miguel Almiron and Lewis Hall put the visitors ahead by halftime, and Joe Willock finished the scoring after an hour.
United had won the cup in February by defeating Newcastle at Wembley Stadium, ending the club’s six-year trophy drought. But that is a distant memory now, as his team’s season has deteriorated further.
Newcastle fans yelled throughout the game that the Dutch coach, who won three league titles with Ajax, would be dismissed in the morning. While there has been no indication that Ten Hag’s position is under threat, United’s poor form is becoming increasingly concerning.
Defeat came despite Ten Hag selecting a starting team worth about $500 million — even without $82 million off-season signing Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford.
Ten Hag had deployed about $720 million in talent by the time those players were sent in to try to turn the game around in the second half.
It had little effect on the outcome.
United had little penetration in the first half and fell down in the 28th minute when they were caught on the break. Tino Livramento rushed forward after Alejandro Garnacho lost possession in Newcastle’s half.
Newcastle ends Manchester United’s League Cup defence with a 3-0 victory.
He then found Almiron’s run, who beat Andre Onana from inside the box with a shot into the far corner.
Eight minutes later, the lead was increased, with United once again creating problems for itself.
Indecision at the back eventually led to Harry Maguire tamely heading Willock’s left-wing cross. His clearance only got him to the edge of the box, where Hall was poised to volley through a swarm of men and into the bottom corner.
Ten Hag made changes at halftime, notably taking off his captain Casemiro. But Newcastle extended its lead when Willock carried the ball to the edge of the area and swept a low shot past Onana.
OTHER RESULTS
West Ham beat Premier League title-chasing Arsenal 3-1, while Liverpool advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Bournemouth 2-1.
Chelsea put its troubles in the league behind it with a 2-0 win against second division Blackburn, and Everton beat Burnley 3-0.
Fulham is also through to the last eight with a 3-1 win against second division Ipswich.
