It was somewhat fitting that Manchester United saved their first draw of the season for their first non-televised game of the campaign against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Expected to come flying out of the blocks, still fuelled with energy and adrenaline following Scott McTominay's last-gasp winner against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League less than 72 hours earlier, United were the polar opposite, proving slow, sluggish and bereft of attacking ideas. Newcastle were the better side for much of the first half and would have gone into the interval with their noses in front had the woodwork not denied Joelinton twice.
The Reds, to their credit, did improve after the break and had it not been for some wasteful finishing from Marcus Rashford and Fred in the dying stages they would have scooped a fourth successive win in all competitions. Fred blazed wide after connecting with Rashford's cutback before the latter headed wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
