5 days Ago By Rich Fay
Andre Onana could have no complaints that he was dropped from the Manchester United line up for the trip to face Newcastle , though his blushes were somewhat saved by the fact he was one of five changes to the side. It is always good for a head coach to know who their No.1 is, though there is an argument Onana has had it too easy since he moved to Old Trafford, with little jeopardy over his starting role since he joined.
He has always had a credible competitor in Altay Bayindir, though it was staggering that the weekend clash was his first taste of Premier League action. There might not be many more before the end of the season. Bayindir produced an excellent double save in the first half to deny Alexander Isak, but his performance will be best remembered for a dire piece of distribution that gifted the ball to Joelinton and gave Newcastle their fourth goal.
The Turk is second-choice; the only comfort is the first-choice isn’t clear ahead of him anymore. After he impressed on the summer tour of the US last year, Harry Amass looked certain to make his senior debut early into the campaign. The fact that he had to wait until March for his first senior outing and Sunday for his first start was a reminder of just how raw a talent he is and how careful United need to be with nurturing young players.
The 18-year-old became the fourth-youngest player ever to start a Premier League match for United and impressed with a well-rounded performance on the left. He had a couple of moments where he was caught out of position, but he grew into the match and posed an attacking threat against one of the best sides in the league. It is still too early to tell whether Amass will ever make it at Old Trafford, but his performance against Newcastle suggested he is ready to be given more responsibility under Amorim.
Ruben Amorim was always going to make changes for the trip to face Newcastle, though there are some players he simply can't afford to drop, such is their importance to the team. While the headline news was on the five changes to the side from the midweek draw with Lyon, a lot was said about the six who kept their roles. Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro have both established themselves as key parts of the backline under Amorim, with one space up for grabs between Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt for the remainder of the season.
Manuel Ugarte is the only central midfielder he trusts to start every match, while Bruno Fernandes is simply Bruno Fernandes. Diogo Dalot isn't a long-term solution, but is the most dependable player at his disposal, and Alejandro Garnacho has worked hard to impress the manager, but could lose his place once Amad Diallo is back. Ruben Amorim will argue he had to select a Manchester United side that was capable of beating Newcastle, but after a costly injury to Joshua Zirkzee he must wonder whether he almost went too strong.
The Dutchman looks set for a long spell on the sidelines after his hamstring issue, a setback that could rule him out for the remainder of the season. It is easy to criticise the selection in hindsight, but with the Lyon game so much more important, there is an argument youngster Chido Obi should have led the line at St. James’ Park, given he is ineligible to feature in their Europa League campaign.
It might well have been too much too soon for the 17-year-old striker, though it was a much safer option than starting one of their few attacking threats in what was a rather meaningless match. At a time when the more experienced strikers have offered so little in attack, surely it would have been worth the risk of giving the teenager a chance instead. If Manchester United fans want to clutch onto any positives after their defeat to Newcastle, one is that Luke Shaw made his first appearance for the club in 133 days.
It takes his tally to four cameo outings for the campaign and gives Ruben Amorim another option for the remainder of the campaign. The 29-year-old made his name as a left-back, but if he is to have a future at United, it looks like he will have to prove himself as a centre-back under the Portuguese head coach. Patrick Dorgu is now the first-choice at wing-back, while Harry Amass proved he can offer something at senior level, and fellow teenager Diego Leon will join the club this summer.
Shaw is effectively on trial as he looks to save his Old Trafford career. If he is to do it, it will have to be in a new position. READ NEXT: 'He will be out for' - Manchester United issue Joshua Zirkzee update as timeline revealed for hamstring injury.
