Newcastle beat Manchester United in a league game at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1972 to condemn their hosts a third straight home loss in all competitions for the first time in more than 60 years.
Not since Sir Matt Busby's days in the 1962-63 season have Manchester United lost three home games in a row.
But early goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton gave Eddie Howe's men a thoroughly deserved victory that left them fifth in an impressive end to 2024.
Newcastle have won their last four Premier League games, with the excellent Isak taking his tally to 12 and his recent strike rate to eight in six games, with six in successive games.
In contrast, the home side were abysmal.
Head coach Ruben Amorim replaced forward Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo in the 33rd minute, confirmation that he had got a starting line-up that paired veterans Casemiro and Christian Eriksen together in midfield hopelessly wrong.
Marcus Rashford was brought back onto the substitutes bench, but despite watching his side slide to a fourth successive defeat in all competitions and fail to score for the third game on the trot, Amorim opted against introducing the England man into the fray.
United end the year 14th, seven points above the relegation zone. What was once was humorous jibing about a fight to avoid the drop is now a little too close to comfort - and league leaders Liverpool lie in wait at Anfield on Sunday.
Line-ups
Man Utd XI: Eriksen, Casemiro, Maguire, Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Dalot, Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad Diallo Traore, Rasmus Højlund
Subs: Altay Bayındır, Rashford, Tyrell Malacia, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Toby Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo, Leny Yoro, Godwill Kukonki
Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, J.Murphy, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Isak, Tonali, Gordon, Lewis Hall
Subs: Odysseas Vlachodimos, Almiron, Barnes, Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff, Willock, Tino Livramento, William Osula, Lewis Miley
FootballLover07
313
Amorim is a great Manager . Let''s be patient and give him enough time so that he can finish Man united completely.
Siteilrz
182
The problem in Man U is that the supporters are more serious than the players
tjlyon
137
Old Trafford is no longer for manU it’s for everyone now lol 😂
bryc3
118
No matter how bad man City get they will never be the worst team in Manchester
Ayjazz1997
108
Manchester United 1 win per month Are they practicing Menstrual cycle 🤣🤣🤣
hibcilrsu
67
Amorim didn't want peace, he wanted Problems. He was winning peacefully with Sporting Portugal, what made him think he can solve Man U problems? Next 2 games Vs Liverpool and Arsenal. He should resign
dougiefresh
61
Alexander Isak scored more Premier League goals than any other player in December 2024. ⚽ vs. Liverpool ⚽ vs. Brentford ⚽ vs. Leicester ⚽⚽⚽ vs. Ipswich ⚽ vs. Aston Villa ⚽ vs. Man Utd Is he the best striker in the Premier League right now? 🤔
dibdeistz
35
Ruben is good . The players waste opportunities to score goals. Many times, they are clueless in front of goal posts. Ten Hag wasted resources in hiring all the players.
sdlqxz
21
okkkk
sdlqxz
17
M_cAveli
13
Man United right now
Ricaikopy
12
Amorim is a great Manager . Let''s be patient and give him enough time so that he can finish Man united completely.
The problem is not Amorim. Wasn’t TenHag or Mourinho or Moyes . It’s the talent evaluators in the administration. You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken feathers. So until there is a major talent overhaul the problems will persist.
tiddikoptz
11
Amorim is a great Manager . Let''s be patient and give him enough time so that he can finish Man united completely.
I knew Ten Hag was better. He got sacked because every time he bench Rashford, these so-called legends and stupid Man U fans make noise. This one will be sacked soon with this useless line-up.
RonaldDinho_10
8
Amorim is a great Manager . Let''s be patient and give him enough time so that he can finish Man united completely.
you see now that ten hag was way better, 2 seasons 2 trophies with average players, thats a fact