The Great Fan Debate rumbles on unabated. Why has Newcastle's record £60m buy Alexander Isak failed to gain more starts in a team crippled by a shortage of goals?
United have managed only a paltry three in their last eight Premier League matches dating back to the last day of December which has seen them slide out of Champions League placings yet Isak cannot find a regular slot on the team sheet. Of course he suffered a long term injury but nevertheless Isak has began only five PL games since arriving six months ago. A player who cost so much to be seen so little.
Certainly United's other big buy, £40m Anthony Gordon, was not forced to run further risk of splinters sitting on the bench alongside regular occupier Isak. With the League Cup out of the way, where Gordon was cup-tied, he was promptly handed his debut at Manchester City.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola's impassioned response as Man City boss wowed by size of 'exceptional' Newcastle
Eddie Howe made big calls all right dropping Maxi for Gordon and remaining loyal to Dan Burn at left-back rather than switching him to his natural position in the absence of Fabian Schar and bringing in Matt Targett. However perhaps his biggest call was ignoring Isak and sticking with Callum Wilson who has now scored just once in his last 14 outings. That decision has puzzled a lot of fans who saw their team slump to their third successive 2-0 defeat.
To make matters worse Wilson fluffed the best chance of all when he ought to have equalised just before half-time and thereby heaped more fuel on the bonfire being stoked by the fans. Unmarked 10 yards out he completely failed to connect with a headed pass from Kieran Trippier. It was a clear-cut opportunity which once upon a time Wilson would have gobbled up.
Eventually he was subbed on the hour as Howe brought on Isak along with Saint-Maximin and Joe Willock. Wilson's contribution? Just six passes completed and a total of 14 touches.
As at Wembley Isak looked instantly lively but a killer second City goal took away all hope. It stemmed from a dreadfully sloppy pass by Trippier which when playing against a side of such fluency as City possess is criminal.
Phil Foden, who scored the first, completely destroyed Burn in what was a mismatch. If you are one paced then it can be critical out wide especially against quality in open territory and so it turned out. In the end Burn thankfully made the safety of the dressing-room with five minutes to go when he departed the action suffering from a twisted sock having turned and turned again trying to find and tie down the elusive Foden.
Howe's loyalty to Wilson and Burn, two of his influential committee men in the dressing-room, is either admirable or misplaced depending which way you want to look at it.
Joelinton inevitably picked up his 10th yellow card and will now sit out United's next two crucial games against Wolves and Nottingham Forest when points are a dire necessity. Terrific competitor, no question, but truth is he tackles in the middle of the park like the centre-forward he once was.
United are certainly making it hard for themselves in terms of getting back to winning ways with Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, and now Joelinton falling foul on discipline. What other changes might Howe make? Will he pull the curtain down on Burn's run at left-back? Will Isak get a start? Might Murphy even get a nod after a sparkling cameo appearance? Joe Willock almost certainly will for Big Joe.
No one knows of course if Isak is the answer to all Geordie prayers. However at £60m someone within the club has obviously thought he is but does Howe considering his caution in trusting him despite his side being shot shy? Isak's debut way back promised so much as he scored a sensational goal at Liverpool and 37 international caps for Sweden at the tender age of 23 suggests he can cut the mustard but we must continue to wait for confirmation one way or the other. Strange!
It may be harsh but it is nonetheless true that in eight weeks United have gone out of the FA Cup to a League One club, lost the Carabao Cup final, and dropped 14 points from seven PL games. That is how far United have fallen off their perch after a truly sensational start to the season.
What is infuriating is that Spurs are just as unconvincing. While those who have been behind United are now far too close Tottenham have lost a whopping nine times in 26 fixtures to the Mags three in 24. Fourth place is still on despite all especially given the immediate opposition but it is now or never.
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe sends message to Man City after brawl and Guardiola knows what's coming from Newcastle
Newcastle anger Man City players and Eddie Howe may face an emotional decision - 5 things
Eddie Howe prepared to lose Newcastle players he 'loves' as 'tough' emotional calls to be made
Some Newcastle players to 'fall off from ride' as club's ruthless rebuild enters its next phase
Everything Eddie Howe said on Man City, cup final agony and injuries at Newcastle press conference
