Newcastle United left Old Trafford on Boxing Day with that familiar empty feeling once again. There was no late reward, no smash-and-grab point, and no consolation for a performance that promised much but delivered very little when it mattered most.
Manchester United were there for the taking. They were missing key players, lacked control for long spells, and spent the final stages defending deep. Yet Newcastle still found a way to lose, and that is what makes this defeat so hard to accept.
Away form continues to be the cloud hanging over Eddie Howe’s side. Every trip on the road now feels like a test of character Newcastle are failing too often.
As the gap to the Champions League places grows, pressure is beginning to mount, and with the January transfer window just around the corner, some players are not helping their case at all.
There were several disappointing performances, but a few stood out for the wrong reasons. Nick Woltemade, who has shown real promise since stepping into the number nine role, endured a quiet and frustrating afternoon.
He failed to register a single shot, lost all of his ground duels, and could not complete a single dribble. His link-up play was limited, and after just over an hour, Eddie Howe turned to Yoane Wissa in search of something different.
Woltemade remains a talented striker with a future at the club, but this was a reminder that he is still developing and cannot carry the attack alone.
Lewis Miley also found himself exposed. Thrown into a difficult role against experienced opposition, the teenager struggled to cope defensively. It was a tough lesson, and while effort was never lacking, his inexperience showed.
Sandro Tonali, meanwhile, looks a shadow of the player Newcastle relied on earlier in the season. His dip in form has affected the balance of the team, especially in midfield, where control and tempo have been missing.
Still, the biggest concern came from two players who were supposed to be key figures. Anthony Gordon and Jacob Ramsey started together again, and once more, the combination simply did not work. Individually, both worked hard. Together, they offered very little threat, creativity, or cohesion.
Ramsey arrived in the summer with a significant price tag and expectations to match. At 24, this should be the peak moment to impose himself on games. Instead, his performances have been tidy but empty.
He keeps the ball moving, covers ground, and helps defensively, but there is almost no impact in the final third. Against Manchester United, he failed to create a single chance and struggled to link midfield with attack. His substitution before the 70-minute mark told its own story.
Gordon’s issues are different but just as worrying. Once Newcastle’s standout performer and Player of the Year, he now looks frustrated and wasteful, especially away from home.
He still runs, presses, and demands the ball, but the end product has gone missing. Crosses fail to beat the first man, chances are snatched at, and promising positions break down far too easily.
The numbers from Old Trafford paint a clear picture of why this pairing does not function well right now.
| Stats vs Man United | Anthony Gordon | Jacob Ramsey |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes played | 90 | 68 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Touches | 56 | 41 |
| Shots (on target) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Accurate passes | 28/34 (82%) | 28/31 (90%) |
| Chances created | 3 | 0 |
| Crosses | 2/10 | 0/0 |
| Possession lost | 18 times | 5 times |
| Dribbles | 2/3 | 1/2 |
| Recoveries | 2 | 5 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 1 | 2 |
| Duels won | 3/8 | 4/7 |
What stands out most is the lack of balance. Gordon lost the ball 18 times, often trying to force the issue with little support around him. Ramsey, while safer in possession, did nothing to ease that burden or offer creative help. The left side looked disjointed, predictable, and easy to defend against.
Gordon is still a dangerous player, but he needs structure and help. When his confidence dips, he requires a midfielder who can share responsibility, create angles, and take risks in the final third. Ramsey is not doing that right now. His strengths lie in control and discipline, not invention.
Football can change quickly, and writing players off would be foolish. Ramsey can improve, and Gordon can rediscover his sharpness. But until that happens, starting them together is hurting Newcastle more than helping.
Eddie Howe must be brave enough to accept what the evidence shows. This pairing is not working, and persisting with it only deepens the problems.
With January approaching, choices are coming. Selection, tactics, and recruitment will all come under scrutiny. If Newcastle want to stop this slide and reignite their season, difficult decisions must be made. One of them should be clear already. Gordon and Ramsey, at least for now, should not be starting together again.
