3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Manchester United 1 Newcastle United 0

It ended Manchester United  1 Newcastle United 0.

Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the match.

An ‘interesting’ match at Old Trafford.

Plenty to talk about after this Premier League game.

As United lost 1-0 to Man U.

On this occasion it is David Punton:

Game of two halves

The second half was better.

Not much comfort amid the defeat but Newcastle had more possession (67%) of the ball and could have snatched a point with better finishing.

Hall so close

Lewis Hall put in a good shift and it was encouraging to see.

He came close to scoring too, just the frame of the goal preventing it.

No stuffing at Xmas

I guess you have to take a positive from the fact it was a slender defeat, just 1-0.

On another night we’d have come away with something.

While we’re still not at our best, it’s notable that a few things also just won’t drop our way.

NEGATIVES

Going stale?

Another week, another lacklustre game.

It’s become the story of this stop, start season.

Huge frustration because we’re better than this. Way better.

It’s on the manager, of course, though the idea of a change in the dugout is still unthinkable.

However, quite clearly, the ship does need to be turned around. We all have to hope Eddie Howe can sort this out.

Need more from Mr Wissa

We’re desperate to see more from our new number nine.

He came on and seemed to do no better at Nick Woltemade.

His form is going to be absolutely vital for us, so he has to find some!

We all know that he can do way better, much like a good few of his United colleagues.

VAR and kick off

The decisions went against NUFC the Chelsea game, yet again at Old Trafford another penalty call waved away.

It was a huge moment.

It does little to placate the annoyance at the way we played, but to be denied again was a hammer blow over the festive run of games.

Finally, the kick off time.

What an absolute farce to have an 8pm on Boxing Day when all football on December 26th was apparently shelved. No consideration of supporters. The game should have been on Saturday.

Special mention also for Sky Sports, who had that SAFC fella hosting the coverage, with studio guests Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Any chance of an NUFC voice on the panel in the interests of balance?