Newcastle United player ratings: ‘Woeful’ 5/10 & ‘costly’ 6/10 in 2-0 Borussia Dortmund defeat
Jordan Cronin
·2-min read
DORTMUND, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: Players of Newcastle United pose for a photo prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United at Signal Iduna Park on November 07, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Newcastle United hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage hang in the balance after losing 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund.
Eddie Howe sprung a surprise when naming his starting XI. Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento were handed Champions League debuts, while Joe Willock returned with the injured Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron making way.
United had just begun to settle at the Signal Iduna Park when the hosts took the lead in the 26th minute through Niklas Fulkrug’s close-range strike.
Made five saves on the night but beaten twice by Niklas Fullkrug and Julian Brandt. There isn’t a lot he could have done about either, mind.
And it was a similar story after the break. Newcastle threatened an equaliser but Dortmund added a killer second from a counter-attack that Julian Brandt capped off.
The defeat leaves Newcastle three points behind Dortmund heading into the final two Group F matches away to Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan at St James’ Park.
Here’s our Newcastle United player ratings:
A typical schar performance. Calm on the ball and made some vital interceptions.
Grew into the game after a shaky start up against the physicality of Niklas Fullkrug.
Looks out of form having set really high bar in the opening months of the campaign. Struggled with his deliveries into the box and it was a woeful one that led to Dortmund counter attacking and scoring a second.
Started well but lost some composure when harshly booked in the 10th minute. Got the wrong side Sabitzer, who crossed for Dortmund opener.
Tried to make things work in the middle of the park. Had some really promising moments on the ball.
Much like the first meeting between the two sides, Longstaff let the game pass him a little. Can never fault his effort, though.
Was positive on the ball as he attempted to drive Newcastle forward down the left.
Much more effective in the second half after dropping back into right-back having started the game further up. Later switched to left-back and contained Karim Adeyemi.
Interchanged well with Willock down the left. Found himself in some excellent attacking positions but his misses proved costly.
Isolated up top. Didn’t given the two Dortmund centre-halves much to think about. Replaced at half-time.
Tried his luck from distance on a couple of ocassions but never looked like scoring.
A different option through the middle. Helped United ask more of Dortmund defence in the second half.
Becomes Newcastle’s youngester ever European debutant.
In Hell, Andre Onana was the greatest sinner. The hapless goalkeeper was the miscreant who has left Manchester United on the brink of Champions League elimination.
There is no hiding place for an out-of-form goalkeeper. Andre Onana may still have Erik Ten Hag’s public support, but time and patience is not on his side.
Former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini called his five years at Shandong Taishan "among the best of my life" as he bid an emotional farewell to China.Fellaini, who spent six years at Manchester United before leaving for China in early 2019, added: "I am also so glad and honoured to have discovered China and its amazing culture.
Manchester United have scored nine goals in three Champions League away matches, and not won any of them. That is more than Borussia Dortmund, Lazio, Inter Milan, Real Sociedad and PSV Eindhoven, all of whom have already qualified for the knockout stages, have each scored in five games in the competition this term.
Owen Farrell decided to step back from England duties to protect his and his family’s mental health after the pressure of international captaincy, including being booed by his own fans, became overbearing.
Andre Onana is increasingly concerned he could struggle to win back his place at Manchester United if he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon next year.
