CAPTAIN Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after their 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils were beaten comfortably at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
Elsewhere, manager Erik ten Hag is set to be offered a new contract by United regardless of whether a takeover is completed, according to reports.
The Dutchman has made a huge impact in his first season at Old Trafford after joining from Ajax last summer.
And we've got the very latest on United's takeover talks.
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- Alex Smith
McTominay's future unclear
Scott McTominay's future at Man Utd is uncertain and he could leave this summer.
The Scot's contract does not expire until 2025, but he is concerned over his playing time.
McTominay has attracted interest from Newcastle and West Ham in the past.
However, Man Utd are supposedly proud of the progress the player has made since joining the club when he was just five-years-old and there is sensitivity towards getting rid of him.
- Alex Smith
United chase three midfielders
Man Utd are keen on the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to reports.
Manager Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his midfield options and is weighing up potential signings as well as exits.
Jude Bellingham is wanted by United, but Borussia Dortmund could demand well over £100million.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is also an option, with Arsenal joining them in the race to sign him.
Man Utd are also expected to reignite their interest in Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong after their failed attempts to land him last year.
The LaLiga side may be forced into selling the Dutchman due to a desperate need to balance the books amid financial troubles.
- Alex Smith
Newcastle mocked for celebration
Footie fans mocked Newcastle's wild celebrations after being Manchester United – reminding them they lost the League Cup final against the Red Devils.
There were joyous scenes in the Magpies' changing room after the monumental result – which the club shared on its official Twitter account.
Manager Eddie Howe was mobbed by his troops after congratulating them on their performance and they posed for photos inside the dressing room shortly after.
But they were promptly trolled for excessively celebrating the win, with one person tweeting: "Congratulations on winning the World Cup."
Another said: "Enjoy the 3 pts, Newcastle. We'll enjoy the trophy!"
- Alex Smith
Greenwood to be given chance?
Mason Greenwood could be handed a chance by Man Utd as he aims to rejuvenate his career after charges against him were dropped.
Reports from journalist Graeme Bailey say that some of the 21-year-old's team-mates are open to having him back.
The club's hierarchy are also not ruling out his return. But he is not expected back in training anytime soon.
His potential comeback could lead to much criticism and some sponsors could question their deals with United.
- Alex Smith
Rooney's top four predictions
Newcastle may have just moved above Man Utd in the table after their 2-0 win yesterday, but Wayne Rooney thinks the Toon won't finish in the top four.
The DC United boss thinks the Red Devils will come third and Liverpool will come fourth.
Rooney said: "The top four? A few weeks ago, there looked a possibility Manchester United could challenge for the Premier League title.
"Erik ten Hag’s team fell short, but they could still end up with three trophies, and I’m sure will finish in the top four, then kick on after he buys a few players to strengthen in the summer.
"So Manchester United will be there but I have a suspicion that Liverpool might sneak into it, thanks to the quality of their squad and their experience.
"They’re capable of going on a run. I see Newcastle, despite the great job Eddie has done, falling just a little short."
Credit: Reuters - Alex Smith
Rooney makes title predictions
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney has insisted that Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League this season.
The Gunners restored their eight-point lead over Manchester City on Saturday following a 4-1 win over Leeds.
In his column for The Times, Rooney wrote: “The title race? Nothing would surprise me from Manchester City.
“They could put together an incredible run and still win it but you have to say Arsenal are favourites.
“Everyone has been waiting for them to drop off but they’ve been top of the league for so many weeks and dealing with the pressure all season. I don’t see a collapse from them.”
- Alex Smith
Fernandes orders players to fans
Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
After the final whistle, a host of dejected United players started to trudge straight off towards the tunnel.
But the raging Fernandes was spotted blasting his team-mates.
And he ordered them to follow him and go and acknowledge the away end.
Credit: Rex - Alex Smith
Neville on Weghorst
Pundit Gary Neville believes that Wout Weghorst is not good enough to start for Man Utd but does not deserve to be slammed.
Neville said: "He doesn’t deserve to be criticised, I think he is doing his very best.
"He works as hard as he possibly can but he just lacks the quality that a player in that position should have at Manchester United.
"He’s filling in obviously with Martial being injured. [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s left. [Edinson] Cavani left at the start of the season.
"Manchester United don’t have a centre-forward, really. In order to play football really well, you have to have a good centre-forward. It’s a rule."
- Tony Robertson
Good morning United fans
Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after their defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
Lisandro Martinez fumed after being subbed in Manchester United’s defeat to Newcastle – but Red Devils fans directed their fury at manager Erik ten Hag instead.
The Argentine centre-back was hooked for Facundo Pellistri in the 83rd minute of their defeat at St James’ Park.
Martinez reacted angrily, slapping a chair as he went to take his seat.
Ten Hag has torn into his Man Utd players, after their disappointing performance against Newcastle.Speaking after the game, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I hate to say it but they were better today – especially their determination, passion and desire. They wanted to win more so they won.
“We had our opportunities but then you have to go for goal with the determination they did. It wasn’t good enough. We allowed them too many chances. You have to be hungry and give everything every game.
“Our attacking game wasn’t good enough. I don’t want to focus on one person. It was a team performance.”
Luke Shaw was convinced where the buck stopped after Man Utd were beaten easily 2-0 at Newcastle.
“Not good enough,” Shaw told Sky Sports when asked about the team’s performance.
“I feel like every time I speak after games I’m always honest. As a team we have to be honest.
“I don’t think Newcastle won on quality today, they won on desire, passion, hunger, attitude. They had a higher motivation than we did.
“That can’t be possible. I feel I say the same every time we lose. They wanted it more. At Man Utd that shouldn’t be possible.
“It’s unacceptable. It’s not what we want to set out to be. In big games you need that hunger. We didn’t create too much.
“Maybe you can say it’s been coming. Our levels dropped before the international break. We have three days to pick it back up.
“The players had a chat in the changing room after with no staff round. It’s down to us. It was nowhere near good enough. We had to speak out in front of each other.
“It’s important. We’re a team. When we go out onto the pitch, we have to fight for each other. Sometimes it hasn’t looked like that.
“I’m sure we’ll speak again. We need to realise the problems quickly and change it round. We still can have a very good season but with results and performances like this we can’t.”
Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kim Min-jae with Liverpool reportedly keen on the Napoli star.
He has attracted interest from a host of European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain.
Napoli are believed to be keen to tie him down to a new contract as a result, which could include increasing his buyout clause to £79million.
United have been linked to the South Korea international throughout the season.But it seems rivals Liverpool have overtaken them in the race to sign the 26-year-old, according to Foot Mercato.
- Jon Boon
Dalot echoes Shaw's feelings
Diogo Dalot has echoed Luke Shaw's sentiments that Newcastle United's stars wanted the win more than the Red Devils.
"Disappointment I think is the word, we wanted to come here and do what we planned," Dalot told MUTV.
"We tried to find spaces and we knew they wanted to press high, even after that, we tried to play, but we could have been more patient.
"Especially in the last third, we could have been a little bit more patient with the ball to find the spaces, to create more chances. We have to show desire, beat them in desire and beat them in every challenge we have.
"I think they wanted that a little bit more than us today and that can not happen. If we want to fight for more, want to compete for the Premier League, we have to be more consistent, come here and dominate the game.
"We knew they were going to be intense and press high, but we have to beat it and be more consistent."
- Jon Boon
Weghorst future
Erik ten Hag has spoken about the possibility of Wout Weghorst staying at Man Utd.
The Dutch striker is currently on loan with the Red Devils until the end of the season.
"Of course [he could stay permanently] and I think he is doing a lot of elements of football [I like] – doing them really well. And he's doing a really good job for us," he said.
"Pressing: he is the leader of the process in pressing, starts the press, very good in backward pressing. He is taking up positions, his link-up play he's doing really well. He is making good movements, making space for others, so he's also good in set-plays, so he is really contributing to this team.
"I think after Christmas we play 25 games and we lost two and he played almost all of the games so he is really part of the success."
- Jon Boon
Shaw slams team mates
Luke Shaw was convinced where the buck stopped after Man Utd were beaten easily 2-0 at Newcastle.
"Not good enough,” Shaw told Sky Sports when asked about the team's performance.
“I feel like every time I speak after games I’m always honest. As a team we have to be honest.
“I don’t think Newcastle won on quality today, they won on desire, passion, hunger, attitude. They had a higher motivation than we did.
“That can’t be possible. I feel I say the same every time we lose. They wanted it more. At Man Utd that shouldn’t be possible.
“It’s unacceptable. It’s not what we want to set out to be. In big games you need that hunger. We didn’t create too much.
“Maybe you can say it’s been coming. Our levels dropped before the international break. We have three days to pick it back up.
“The players had a chat in the changing room after with no staff round. It’s down to us. It was nowhere near good enough. We had to speak out in front of each other.
“It’s important. We’re a team. When we go out onto the pitch, we have to fight for each other. Sometimes it hasn’t looked like that.
“I’m sure we’ll speak again. We need to realise the problems quickly and change it round. We still can have a very good season but with results and performances like this we can’t.”
- Jon Boon
Ten Hag tears into his flops
Erik ten Hag has torn into his Man Utd players, after their disappointing performance against Newcastle.
Speaking after the game, ten Hag told Sky Sports: "I hate to say it but they were better today – especially their determination, passion and desire. They wanted to win more so they won.
“We had our opportunities but then you have to go for goal with the determination they did. It wasn’t good enough. We allowed them too many chances. You have to be hungry and give everything every game.
“Our attacking game wasn’t good enough. I don’t want to focus on one person. It was a team performance."
- Jon Boon
Slap in the face
Lisandro Martinez fumed after being subbed in Manchester United's defeat to Newcastle – but Red Devils fans directed their fury at manager Erik ten Hag instead.
The Argentine centre-back was hooked for Facundo Pellistri in the 83rd minute of their defeat at St James' Park.
Martinez reacted angrily, slapping a chair as he went to take his seat.
Fans were quick to comment on Martinez's tantrum, with one saying: "Who saw Martinez on the bench? GRRRRRR."
Another said: "Martinez slapping the bench chair!"
The Old Trafford faithful, however, directed their anger at Ten Hag as he also subbed Rafael Varane for fellow defender Victor Lindelof as they were chasing an equaliser.
- Jon Boon
Fernandes wants fans respect
Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
Second half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson condemned United to their latest disappointment in the Premier League.
A 7-0 drubbing to Liverpool, a goalless draw at home to Southampton, and then this mauling which left Erik Ten Hag shellshocked.
It was a miserable afternoon all-round for United, with many fans questioning Ten Hag’s decision to leave out Fred.
- Jon Boon
Defender blow
Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kim Min-jae with Liverpool reportedly keen on the Napoli star.
He has attracted interest from a host of European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain.
Napoli are believed to be keen to tie him down to a new contract as a result, which could include increasing his buyout clause to £79million.
United have been linked to the South Korea international throughout the season.
But it seems rivals Liverpool have overtaken them in the race to sign the 26-year-old, according to Foot Mercato.
- Jon Boon
Game over
All over.
Callum Wilson has put the game to bed with a header from a corner from Kieran Trippier.
The Toon go wild.
Ten Hag looks on. 2-0, all over.
- Jon Boon
Goal!
Newcastle United lead!
It's a header from ex-Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock – who heads home.
The Toon deserve it. They have been the better team.
- Jon Boon
Double save
Man Utd have David De Gea to thank for the keeping the scores level.
Take a bow, son.
- Jon Boon
Bore draw
We're all square at Old Trafford at half-time.
Not much to talk about, really. Game of a few chances, with Newcastle perhaps squandering the best.
Man Utd will need to show a bit more in the second half if they have any designs of winning this game.
- Jon Boon
Ten Hag's role in takeover
Erik ten Hag is distancing himself from Man Utd's potential takeover.
The Dutch tactician revealed he met one bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe – but there was nothing more to their chance encounter.
"They leave me [alone] which is fine because all the others have to decide, it's not up to me, he told Sky Sports.
"My job is to lead, to manage the first team, to let them perform and get the right results, that is what I have to focus on.
"In a previous press conference I said Sir Jim Ratcliffe, I met him and we shook hands but that is all. It was a coincidence because we coincidentally met in the corridor so not officially, I was not in contact with anyone."
- Jon Boon
The opposition
Newcastle are today's opposition at Old Trafford.
Here's how they will line up.
- Joshua Jones
Three changes vs Newcastle
Erik ten Hag has named his starting XI for the crunch clash at Newcastle.
And he has made three changes as he hopes the Red Devils can strengthen their grip on the top four.
Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot and Antony all start.
Marcus Rashford missed England duty but is deemed fit from the outset today while Casemiro is suspended.
Credit: Twitter - Joshua Jones
Red Devils to return?
Two former Man Utd strikers are among the early contenders to replace Brendan Rodgers.
Leicester announced this afternoon the Northern Irishman had left the club after four years in charge following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is 14-1 to take over at the King Power while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is at 16-1 with Betfair.
Top if the pile, though, is Thomas Frank (5-1), Ange Postecoglou (17-2) and Rafa Benitez (9-1).
- Joshua Jones
'Tells you as it is'
Hughes, 59, told the Mirror: “Erik ten Hag has come in and steadied the boat that was rocking from side to side.
"He’s going to need to have time and he’s done the initial part of dealing with the demand that was on him as the manager of the club, stabilising everything.
“He looks like he’s instilled discipline into the group and the club as a whole.
"Playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, his standards for discipline and behaviour were strong, it was one of his mantras.
"It looks like Ten Hag has taken a little bit of that on board and it seems like he is a very straightforward and structured guy who just tells you as it is.
“Players can respond to that and maybe there were a few that were wavering or going on a different tangent – he’s managed to bring everyone together, which was required.
"I hope Manchester United sticks with Erik ten Hag."
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