After stumbling to victory against Crystal Palace, Manchester United very much looked like a side who have rarely played twice in a matter of days all season long against Newcastle United.
Even amid the Magpies' struggles, St James' Park is no place to be lethargic in the Premier League, but Michael Carrick's side were exactly that.
Man-Utd-Michael-Carrick-Newcastle
For the first time in his tenure, Carrick has lost a game as Man United manager. After avoiding defeat against Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta, it was Eddie Howe's ten-man Newcastle side who put the interim boss to the sword.
Alas, it's something that United should have seen coming as soon as Bryan Mbeumo enjoyed one of the misses of the season.
Mbeumo's recent goal drought continues
Whilst Mbeumo will be the first to insist that he's more than just goals, there is no excuse for sending his close-range effort into the upper tier in Tyneside. It would have handed his side the lead and ended a run of three Premier League games without a goal, which has now stretched to four.
As Benjamin Sesko begins to find his best form, Mbeumo's recent form comes at a frustrating time for Carrick, who is still waiting for his attacking trio to all click at the same time.
A player of his calibre arrived for moments like his chance against Newcastle. He arrived to drag the Red Devils to victory and, to his credit, has done so at times this season. In the last four games, though, he has shown battle scars from a topsy-turvy debut campaign at Old Trafford.
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He wasn't the only player who missed the mark, however. It was a bad night for Man United all round, who failed to take advantage of Liverpool's shock defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa's 4-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea.
Man Utd vs Newcastle Player Ratings
Senne Lammens 7
Luke Shaw 6
Harry Maguire 6
Leny Yoro 7
Noussair Mazraoui 6
Casemiro 8
Kobbie Mainoo 5
Matheus Cunha 6
Bruno Fernandes 8
Bryan Mbeumo 5
Benjamin Sesko 5
Carrick isn't blameless for the defeat, either. The interim boss made some questionable changes, including one player who must not play for the club again after his cameo.
Worse than Mbeumo: Man Utd star must be finished at Old Trafford
When looking at last night's team sheet, the name Tyrell Malacia would have shocked many.
The last time that he was included in a Man United squad in the Premier League was, ironically, against Newcastle back in December. Meanwhile, before then, it was last January against Fulham.
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This was no miraculous revival for his Old Trafford career, however. Instead, his cameo showcased a player who has never quite been the same since suffering a long-term injury in 2023. In that regard, he's cut from a similar cloth as somebody like Phil Jones. An impressive young player when he came through, but his time at Old Trafford was ravaged by fitness issues.
That long-term injury was one that ruled Malacia out for 500 days. One that took him from an excellent signing under Erik ten Hag to a player that, quite simply, Man United should no longer be relying on three years later.
Tyrell Malacia PL Games per season
2023/24 0
2024/25 3
2024/25 4
Carrick's decision to introduce the left-back in a midweek game against one of the most physical sides in the Premier League remains a strange one, failing to get anywhere close to William Osula who was allowed to cut in far too easily for his game-winning strike.
It would have been quite something if Malacia suddenly rediscovered his best form, but it was always unlikely. Against Newcastle, the Dutchman needed just five minutes to show just how rusty he has become - completing only four passes and failing to compete in a single duel.
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After coming close to leaving the club in January, Malacia must leave Man United in the summer transfer window. For both the sake of his career and the Red Devils, who cannot rely on the left-back any longer, INEOS must ditch the Dutchman.