Man Utd Lost Possession Shocking Amount Of Times vs Newcastle, Bruno Fernandes Gave Ball Away 26 Times

Manchester United lost possession 167 times against Newcastle on Monday night, their highest total in the top flight this season.

It was an evening to forget for Ralf Rangnick's side, who struggled to break down last night's opposition at St James' Park.

Coming into the clash, relegation-threatened Newcastle had leaked 79 goals in 41 games in 2021 - the joint highest total in a calendar year during the Premier League era.

🥴 Newcastle have conceded 79 league goals in 2021, equalling the record in a calendar year in Premier League history (Ipswich in 1994) #NEWMUN

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 27, 2021

Despite their form this season, Eddie Howe's side looked solid in defensive areas last night. In fact, they looked dangeous going forward. Allan Saint-Maximin opened the scoring with this terrific effort.

Allan Saint-Maximin's fine first-half goal for #NUFC 👏 pic.twitter.com/qc5KGlOOqi

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 28, 2021

Edinson Cavani's equaliser in the 71st minute meant Newcastle broke the record for the most goals any side has conceded in the top flight across a calendar year.

But plenty expected the Reds to score more against their struggling opponents considering their wealth of talent and experience in forward areas.

The Magpies pressed high and unsettled the likes of Bruno Fernandes, who gave the ball away 26 times during Monday's game.

Marcus Rashford was another United player who struggled in possession while Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay lost the ball more than 10 times at St James' Park.

Times Man Utd players lost possession

Bruno 26
Rashford 20
Dalot 19
Sancho 14
McTominay 13
Telles 12
Maguire 11
Varane 11
Fred 10
Ronaldo 9
Greenwood 8
de Gea 7
Cavani 5
Matic 3#MUFC #NEWMUN

— ᗷIᒪᒪ ᖇIᑕᕮ 🎙📻 (@billrice23) December 27, 2021

United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick called out his players for lacking energy and physicality in the 1-1 draw.

"I didn't like the performance at all," he told Sky Sports. "Today we didn't control the game apart from a few moments. It's all about energy, physicality and who wins the second balls.

"In all those areas we weren't at our best. The good thing is we got a point but the performance needs to be better.

"You have to be ready and able to win those direct duels and this was not that often the case. When we were in possession we had too many giveaways and even with the goal, that doesn't make things easy."

💬 Ralf admits United did not do enough for all three points in #NEWMUN 👇#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 27, 2021

Rangnick continued: "Today was not a question of body language, it was a question of body physicality. If you want to be competitive here you have to get physical and this was not the case in many parts of the game.

"Our biggest problem was the mistakes we made. Even when we scored the equaliser we were not really controlling the game and taking the right decisions.

"We were one goal behind and we needed to take more risks. In some situations, including the goal, we were good and with Edinson we had another striker who was dangerous.

"Today it was not a question of formation - it was a question of how aggressive we were.

"In three days we have the next game. We can do better but we have to do it. We shouldn't look for excuses - we need to be better and get more physical. 

"I was not happy with our performance with the ball or when we had to press. What kind of energy mode do we play with the ball and without the ball?"