Højlund attacks late as Manchester United beat Newcastle to boost Ten Hag | first division

Manchester United have 57 points, the same as Newcastle United, who returned to the northeast thinking precisely how they lost a head-to-head match played at breakneck speed. Victory was sealed by a sweet finish from substitute Rasmus Højlund, his 18-yard right-foot shot through the legs of Lewis Hall and in through a palm from Martin Dubravka.

Despite the win, Erik ten Hag's side remain eighth, due to a vastly inferior goal difference, so may have to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to secure European football.

On the pitch, the Ten Hag players offered their thanks to the crowd, a convention in the last home game of the season, and the Dutchman thanked the fans for their loyalty, promising them that his team would fight for the last three points, in Brighton on Sunday. , before the Cup final. For this, Ten Hag received a great reception, further proof that the Old Trafford fan, at least, remains behind him. despite a conflictive campaign.

Who knows, however, whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe will show the same sentiment as he assesses potential replacements before deciding Ten Hag's future after Saturday's final.

Clearer was the total nature of the entertainment that had come before. In the luxury seats, the newly crowned local under-18 team first division The national champions were guests of honor and first saw Alexander Isak shoot wildly after Kieran Trippier dispossessed Alejandro Garnacho.

Casemiro had a minor surprise in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, but put together an impressive 45 minutes which came after the initial lethargy with the Brazilian launching a simple pass to the opposition. Newcastle attacked quickly, the excellent Anthony Gordon received the ball in the home area, but Sofyan Amrabat stuck out a leg to attack and save his team.

The culprit, however, almost became a hero when Dubravka headed in a Bruno Fernandes free kick, Amrabat headed the ball into a crowded danger area and Casemiro's overhead kick went just wide.

One Ten Hag tactic was to pick up quick balls from the back, as Casemiro did with Kobbie Mainoo, forcing a corner which Fernandes lobbed straight at Diallo, whose volley was blocked. A six to four gunshot count in the first half hour illustrated the nature of the spectacle.

Ten Hag left Højlund on the bench to rest him for Sunday's trip to Brighton and the Cup final, so Fernandes, back from injury, played as a false 9. During another quick transition, the captain of United ran into the Newcastle penalty area and collected the ball. to Alejandro Garnacho, who deviated and fired, repelling Dubravka again.

Gordon did the same running down the left wing and crossed, although the corner he got was easily defended by those in red.

Then came a stroke of delicacy and beauty. Amrabat, from an inside left channel, touched Diallo, who relayed to Fernandes, whose contact was light at best. The ball reached Mainoo, who was lurking and unmarked, and beat Dubravka to the goalkeeper's right, as Ten Hag raised both arms in salute.

However, there was no time to celebrate for long as this was grass basketball. Instantly, Newcastle launched two raids, and Casemiro intervened in each of them. First, a well-timed tackle in the area denied Gordon, but Newcastle had a fair shout for a penalty when Amrabat had put a boot over the attacker's ankle as he went to help Casemiro. Robert Jones, the referee and, more disconcertingly, the VAR failed to notice. The makeshift centre-back then cleared Dan Burn's header off the line.

A Trippier chip, the only change for Newcastle Saturday draw with Brightonwas finished off by the ever-present Casemiro, and a deft one-two by Diallo with Mainoo in the Newcastle box closed out a bracing half.

At the beginning of the second, Bruno Guimarães scored, then Gordon and Elliot Anderson. They all failed but, now, Gordon didn't when those in red imploded.

André Onana, as he did in the Arsenal move that created the winning goal here on Sunday, misdirected a clearance towards Burn, who headed forward. Amrabat controlled poorly, Isak stole possession, passed the ball to Jacob Murphy and his cross was directed by Gordon.

It was a disaster for the locals who were on the verge of falling behind seconds later. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was at fault and it went straight to Murphy. He fed Gordon, who broke quickly, took on Isak, and only Amrabat's block deflected the ball onto the bar and away.

Now, somehow, Diallo gave Ten Hag's men the lead. A Fernandes corner from the left was taken by Murphy and the 21-year-old unleashed a ferocious volley that sent the home fans into delirium.

After Miguel Almirón came within a hair's breadth of shining a boot from Gordon's goal with less than eight minutes remaining, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martínez entered, as well as Højlund. The Dane confirmed the much-needed three points despite Hall's late consolation.