Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle: Analysispublished at 23:28 15 May
23:28 15 May
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
As with so many narratives with Manchester United this season, this past couple of games has thrown up two different ones over Amad Diallo and Sofyan Amrabat.
The pair have both had periods out injured like most of their team-mates but, Amad's last-gasp FA Cup winner apart, neither has done much to think they are worthy of a place at a club that should be competing for honours.
It almost seemed like an act of desperation when Erik ten Hag selected the pair for the home defeat by Arsenal but they were two of United's better performers.
Against Newcastle, Ten Hag was indebted to them. First Amrabat denied Alexander Isak, who looked like putting the visitors ahead given they had a three-on-one counter, then Amad blasted United in front with a crisp half volley from the edge of the area.
So is it a gamble that paid off or proof Ten Hag had been wrong to overlook them?
Either way, the Dutchman's FA Cup final selection is looking very interesting.
Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle: What Ten Hag saidpublished at 23:24 15 May
23:24 15 May
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we had a difficult season, but one thing was constant and that was them [fans] being with us and backing the team. We are very pleased with it and we want to pay them back.
"Our last game [at home]. We wanted to thank them for sticking with us, we are in difficult times.
"We are in a transition at this club and the results are not what we expect.
"We also have our reasons, but it's still a disappointing season.
"I am very pleased [with the performance against Newcastle]. In the past months we had many games where we were in winning positions but we couldn't get over the line.
"Today was very good and we can bring Lisandro Martinez on, an experienced player and warrior in difficult moments."
On Casemiro: "I think he played a very good game and used his experience and calmness. I was pleased with his performance."
On youngsters: "This club is in a transition, we have had a disappointing season but in this disappointment we progressed some good young players - Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. It is good that three were on the scoresheet."
On possibly winning the FA Cup: "I don't talk about this moment. We have talk about Brighton."
On his future at the club: "I cannot answer tonight this question as it is a very long answer.
"I don't think it is the right moment to talk about this. I have to talk about the next game and then a great final – it a huge achievement even in a disappointing season.
"I see the positives this team is developing."
'The job isn't finished yet'published at 23:14 15 May
23:14 15 May
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Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, speaking to Sky Sports: "Obviously the job isn't finished yet. We still have one game in the Premier League then the biggest game of the season, the FA Cup final.
"It has been a tough season. The table shows that and we are all aware of that. The fans have been amazing and behind us all season. We all appreciate what they have been doing for us.
"We want to do better and do differently and they [fans] deserve that.
"They have been amazing for us and we had to do something, we have been trying but results don't show that. We have been working hard and everyone has been giving their best, it is not enough and we have to do more.
"We still have two games to go and we have to finish in the best way.
"It doesn't exist, a captain's performance, it is a team performance.
"I am no different from anyone just because I have the armband. I always try my best and we always do the best we can for the club – nobody hides that we play for a big club and we have to lift our standards every game."
On his future: "I will be here until when the club wants me and the club wants me to be a part of the future. If for some reason they don't want me, then I will go."
'I promise you those players will give everything'published at 22:41 15 May
22:41 15 May
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag addressing the Old Trafford crowd: "On behalf of the players, staff and myself I want to thank you all for the brilliant support during this season.
"As you know it wasn't an easy season, but one thing remained constant and that was the backing of you for the team.
"This season is not over yet. First we go to Brighton where we travel for three points and then we go to Wembley. And I promise you those players will give everything to get that cup and bring it to Old Trafford.
"We are sure you will be there supporting us - thank you, you are the best supporters in the world."
Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle: Key statspublished at 22:33 15 May
22:33 15 May
Here are the key facts and figures from Wednesday's game between Manchester United and Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Manchester United have lost just one of their 29 Premier League home games against Newcastle (W19 D9), while they have scored more goals against the Magpies at Old Trafford than against any other opponent (66).
Manchester United have conceded 58 Premier League goals this season, their most across a single campaign in the competition. The Red Devils last shipped more in a season in 1978-79 (63).
At 21 years and 309 days, Amad Diallo is the youngest African player to both score and assist a goal in a Premier League match since Kelechi Iheanacho for Leicester against West Brom in March 2018 (21y 158d).
Anthony Gordon is only the fourth Newcastle player to score home and away goals against Manchester United in a Premier League campaign, after Andy Cole (1993-94), Demba Ba (2011-12) and Matty Longstaff (2019-20).
Kobbie Mainoo's goal was the 10th strike to have been scored by a teenager for Manchester United in the Premier League this season (Alejandro Garnacho seven, Mainoo three), making this just the third campaign that this has occurred for the Red Devils in the competition, along with 2004-05 (15) and 2019-20 (11).
Full-time: Man Utd 3-2 Newcastlepublished at 22:03 15 May
22:03 15 May
Rasmus Hojlund broke his 10-game scoring drought to seal victory for Manchester United in a thrilling Old Trafford encounter with Newcastle.
Anything other than a win for Erik ten Hag's side would have condemned them to their lowest league finish in 34 years.
Instead, they go into the final day needing to better Newcastle's result to claim a place in next season's Uefa Conference League, although they will qualify for the Europa League if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 25 May.
Kobbie Mainoo put the home side in front after 31 minutes when he applied a cool finish from 10 yards after being played onside by Kieran Trippier.
Anthony Gordon levelled four minutes after the restart and Manchester United needed a brilliant tackle from Sofyan Amrabat to stop them from going behind as Alexander Isak failed to finish a three-on-one counter.
Amad Diallo drove home his first Premier League goal just before the hour mark as Newcastle failed to clear a corner to put Manchester United back in front, although Eddie Howe's visitors were inches away from an equaliser as Miguel Almiron just failed to turn home a low cross from the excellent Gordon at the far post.
It was left to Hojlund to settle home nerves, stepping to his right before sending a low finish into the bottom corner for his 15th goal of the season.
However, those nerves still jangled a bit, as Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall fired home from the edge of the box in the second minute of stoppage time but the home side held on.
Newcastle need a final-day win at Brentford to be certain of a top-seven finish for the first time in two decades.
Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?
Four times Ortega proved a decisive deputypublished at 17:10 15 May
17:10 15 May
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
One of the most enthralling Premier League title races of modern time - lit up by some of the biggest and most expensive stars in the division - may have been decided by a man signed on a free from German side Arminia Bielefeld after they had just been relegated from the Bundesliga.
Since arriving at Manchester City in summer 2022, Stefan Ortega has repeatedly shown himself to be a worthy deputy to Ederson. He has looked assured when the Brazil keeper has been injured and thrived in the role of Pep Guardiola's cup goalkeeper - including starting last season's FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
However, Ortega's role in putting City on the verge of an unprecedented fourth title in a row has been a little different.
There have been 15 goalkeeper substitutions in the entire Premier League this season and remarkably four have been him replacing Ederson.
The other four of Ortega's league appearances have been starts in wins over Crystal Palace, Brighton and Aston Villa, as well as the potentially pivotal home draw with Arsenal.
After his stunning cameo against Tottenham on Thursday, we break down the times the 31-year-old has been thrust into the action, and how each time he has risen to the challenge.
Ready when his team needs himpublished at 17:09 15 May
With Ederson struggling after a collision Cristian Romero, Ortega's job was to keep Spurs out for the final 21 minutes. His remarkable cameo may well have rubber-stamped City’s sixth title in seven seasons.
Two fine saves to deny Dejan Kulusevski were followed by perhaps the defining moment of the Premier League season. Spurs' captain and top scorer Son Heung-min raced through on goal with five minutes left only for Ortega to stretch out his leg and block his firm strike.
At full-time Guardiola headed straight for the German, planting a kiss on his cheek later describing him as "world-class".
When the pressure increases as the season reaches its climax, City players just step up. Ortega in no different. Sent on at half-time into a raucous City Ground he once again kept a clean sheet.
His shot-stopping was excellent but the way he commanded his box during an aerial bombardment led by Chris Wood showed how complete his game currently is.
After City dominated the first half, Ederson was injured conceding a penalty early in the second amid a cauldron at Anfield. He stayed on and faced Alexis Mac Allister's spotkick - who scored - before being withdrawn and on came Ortega.
The rest of the second half was an onslaught, a display Jurgen Klopp described as the best his Liverpool had ever played against City. However, Guardiola's men left with a point after a resolute rearguard action, with Ortega calm in the face of chaos to keep his clean sheet, including a block from Darwin Nunez late on.
Ortega replaced Ederson at St James' Park with only eight minutes after the Brazil keeper collided with Kyle Walker. He was then stunned by two goals in two minutes that turned the game following Bernardo Silva's opener.
However, he retained his concentration and saved vitally when Alexander Isak broke through one on one to stop Magpies opening up a potentially decisive two-goal lead shortly before half-time.
City went on to equalise and found a winner in second-half stoppage time.
'Let's all get together and finish this' - Haalandpublished at 15:45 15 May
15:45 15 May
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Erling Haaland says Man City players need to "relax" ahead of the final game of the season.
Following their 2-0 win against Tottenham, City know a win against Sunday's opponents West Ham will guarantee them their fourth Premier League title in a row.
"Focus on the next game and try not to think too much. Let's all get together and finish this," he said in an interview with City+.
Speaking about Tuesday's victory, in which he scored both goals, he said: "We came here to try to win and we won."
"Spurs are a fantastic team, you know everyone knows that they want to play all the time and all praise to them.
"It was really difficult, but yes, we came here to try and win and we won. That's my only thing and I'm happy.
"I think we were a bit nervous. I think that's normal, there's a lot of emotions for everyone."
Stefan Ortega replaced Ederson and denied Son Heung-Min late on before Haaland scored his second from the spot, and on the substitute keeper Haaland said: "What can I say? He's incredible and such a good guy as well, so I'm happy for him."
What happens to the trophy on the final day?published at 15:10 15 May
15:10 15 May
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City may have beaten Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham on Tuesday night to put the title race in their own hands but it does remain open going into the final day of the season.
The Gunners will need to beat 15th-placed Everton on Sunday and hope for a favour from fellow Londoners West Ham at the Etihad, while Pep Guardiola's side just need three points to secure a fourth straight Premier League crown.
If Arsenal draw, they can still win a first league title in 20 years on goal difference if Manchester City were to lose to the Hammers.
So when things can still go either way on the last day, what happens to the trophy?
Well, it will not be being helicoptered from one stadium to the other when the final whistle blows.
There are in fact two identical trophies - one that has stayed with the holders over the season and one that is kept for use by the Premier League - with these being located at both stadiums on the final matchday.
There will also be identical podiums and pyrotechnics in place at each ground and the trophy will not be engraved until after it has been lifted by the champions.
Players will not have to worry about waiting around on medals either, with a set of 40 being available at both Etihad Stadium and Emirates Stadium for the winners.
'Hard to fathom' why Ederson was not substituted earlierpublished at 13:42 15 May
13:42 15 May
Nick Mashiter Senior football news reporter
Image source, Reuters
Headway, the brain injury association, has spoken about the handling of Ederson's injury in Manchester City's win at Tottenham.
The Brazil goalkeeper was involved in a collision with Cristian Romero in Tuesday's 2-0 win which put City on the brink of a fourth straight Premier League title.
Ederson needed several minutes of treatment after being caught by Romero's hip in the second half.
Despite concerns, he was allowed to play on for several minutes before being replaced by Stefan Ortega, with Headway chief executive Luke Griggs questioning the process.
"The concern from players of both teams in the immediate aftermath of the injury, as well as from the medical team and the fact a stretcher was brought onto the pitch, would suggest a clear concern for Ederson's wellbeing," said Griggs.
"The fact that he was not immediately removed would suggest a concussion was not suspected, this is hard to understand especially as symptoms can be delayed in their presentation.
"While we were relieved to see the player taken off a few minutes later, it is hard to fathom why this was not an immediate decision. It is yet another example of when a temporary concussion substitute would have been helpful."
Griggs added: "Ederson's angry reaction is no surprise given the competitive nature of players who want to take part in massive games like this one, though his reaction underscores the need to take such decisions out of the players' hands."
City manager Pep Guardiola said after the match that Ederson was not concussed. "He had a problem with his eye, he could not see properly so the doctor said I should change," he said.
Image source, Getty Images
