Newcastle United and Manchester United shared the points on Sunday as the Magpies resisted late pressure to leave with a share of the spoils. The Premier League clash was the battle of fifth vs sixth before kick-off and an evenly-contested fixture played out at Old Trafford.
Newcastle should have taken the lead in the first-half with Joelinton hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession after Callum Wilson appealed for a penalty just moments before. The Red Devils fought back in the second-half and had chances to win it themselves through Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford.
Here are five things we learned from the 0-0 draw.
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Tired Newcastle survive late scare
Eddie Howe was asked this week if Newcastle can ever become as big as Manchester United on the global footballing scene. That particularly question will remained unanswered for a few years yet. However, when it comes to the here and now on the pitch, Newcastle can mix it with anyone.
The Magpies had clearcut chances in the first-half as Joelinton and Wilson tried to open the scoring but the second-half was one of few opportunities for the travelling side. Manchester United grew in strength as the game went on and really should really have snatched all three points late on through both Fred and Marcus Rashford.
If you were watching the match as an outsider, you would have thought Newcastle were the team who played on Thursday...
Owners decision vindicated
Much has been made of the fact the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund could have purchased a slice of the pie at Manchester United if they had really wanted to in recent years. However, as Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben watched on from the stands at Old Trafford, the entire Newcastle ownership were given a reminder that may just have backed the right horse.
The Red Devils may still have the commercial upper hand on many sides but they are also a beatable outfit in the Premier League these days and a far cry from their former glory. Eddie Howe's outfit, however, are a team on the up and are proving very, very difficult to beat.
As the full-time whistle went, Newcastle remained in the top six of the Premier League, have only lost one game so far this season and are proving a match for established top flight sides. The owners have picked up a steal for just £300m...
Bruno struggles
You could not get moved for Brazilian's inside Old Trafford as Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Casemiro and Fred all did battle in the middle of the park.
Guimaraes is firmly the man of the moment after a stellar start to the season on Tyneside. However, it was a quiet game from the 24-year-old by his usual lofty standards as he did battle with his fellow countrymen.
Wayward passes in the first-half and a lack of control in the second saw the former Lyon man replaced with 15 minutes to play. Guimaraes went down with what looked like cramp shortly before his withdrawal.
Attack, attack, attack
Eddie Howe promised his side would 'attack' Manchester United this weekend - and for the majority of the game they didn't disappoint. The home side did enjoy spells of dominance at the beginning of the second-half and the very end but Newcastle had chances of their own.
Callum Wilson put himself about as ever, Miguel Almiron worked his socks off to try and create openings and both Jacob Murphy & Ryan Fraser tried to make things happen. Howe's men had also clearly been given the brief to press from the outset as they put the home side under pressure from the first minute.
Dubravka watches on
Martin Dubravka watched on from the Old Trafford stands this afternoon as his two clubs did battle just metres away on the pitch. The shot-stopper was ruled out of Sunday's clash due to the terms of his loan deal but it hasn't been a vintage move for the Slovakian up until now.
Dubravka is yet to feature for his new side despite leaving Newcastle for more opportunities following Nick Pope's arrival. David de Gea remains the immovable number one in Manchester and enjoyed another fine performance against Eddie Howe's side.
Before the game, Dubravka was given a reminder of just how hard a task it was always going to be replacing De Gea for certain games this season. The Spaniard was presented with an award by Sir Alex Ferguson for becoming the 11th player to play 500 games for Manchester United. Hard to imagine Dubravka matching that feat...
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