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Manchester United were given a brutal reality check at Newcastle United, going down 2-1 in Michael Carrick’s first defeat in charge.
The stage was set for the Red Devils to romp one step closer to the Champions League as results around them went their way.
Things got even better when their hosts went down to ten men late in the first half, but United failed to capitalise in a chronically lacklustre performance.
Cunha a bright spark
On the whole United were devoid of any attacking guile, but if there was one man causing problems for Newcastle it was Matheus Cunha.
The Brazilian engaged in a grim battle with Kieran Trippier down United’s left flank, and wriggled past him on more than one occasion.
Cunha was successful with four of an attempted seven dribbles, winning double the amount of the rest of the team combined.
He also entered a whopping 26 duels and came out on top 17 times, winning five more than anyone else on the pitch.
That breaks down as ten of 15 ground duels won, and seven of 11 in the air.
Wasteful in possession
But it was far from a complete performance from the 26-year-old, who recorded comfortably the lowest pass completion rate of any outfield player on the pitch.
In finding his man 24 times from 38 passes he recorded a completion rate of just 63%, although a certain allowance should be given for him playing speculative passes to try and get attacks going.
That resulted in one key pass, and two inaccurate crosses.
He was, however, fairly effective in breaking up play and made two interceptions, the joint-most of anyone in red. He also contributed two clearances and one tackle.
He came up short in his main role, getting one shot on target, one blocked and seeing one particularly good chance fly far off target.
Matheus Cunha vs. Newcastle United
| Player | Matheus Cunha |
|---|---|
| Goals | 0 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.17 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 0.06 |
| Key passes | 1 |
| Crosses (accurate) | 2 (0) |
| Accurate passes | 24/38 (63%) |
| Passes in opposition half (acc.) | 15/26 (58%) |
| Passes in own half (acc.) | 9/12 (75%) |
| Total shots | 3 |
| Expected goals on target (xGOT) | 0.04 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Shots blocked | 1 |
| Touches | 67 |
| Unsuccessful touches | 2 |
| Dribbles (successful) | 7 (4) |
| Was fouled | 5 |
| Possession lost | 22 |
| Total carrying distance | 219.1 m |
| Carries | 19 |
| Progressive carries | 5 |
| Total progression | 121.8 m |
| Progressive carrying distance | 106 m |
| Longest progressive carry | 22.1 m |
| Def. contributions | 5 |
| Tackles (won) | 1 (1) |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Clearances | 2 |
| Blocked shots | 0 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Ground duels (won) | 15 (10) |
| Aerial duels (won) | 11 (7) |
| Fouls | 1 |
| Dribbled past | 0 |
Stats taken from sofascore.
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