Amad marked his Premier League debut with a goal and an assist as Manchester United secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford in a showdown between teams vying for European qualification next season.
Erik ten Hag’s side, currently eighth in the table, leveled on points with seventh-placed Newcastle at 57 points. Earlier on Wednesday, Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion pushed them to sixth place with 60 points, edging closer to sealing a European spot.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes acknowledged the team’s efforts but emphasized the importance of staying focused. He also expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the challenging season.
Manchester United broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Kobbie Mainoo capitalized on Newcastle’s defensive lapse, converting a pass from Diallo. Despite Anthony Gordon equalizing for Newcastle in the 49th minute, Amad restored Manchester United’s lead with a clinical finish eight minutes later.
Substitute Rasmus Højlund extended Manchester United’s advantage in the 84th minute with a well-taken goal, while Newcastle’s Lewis Hall pulled one back in injury time.
Addressing the Old Trafford faithful after the game, Ten Hag thanked them for their unwavering support and urged the team to remain focused on their upcoming fixtures.
With an eye on the FA Cup final against Manchester City, Ten Hag emphasized the team’s determination to secure silverware. Victory in the FA Cup would guarantee a Europa League spot for Manchester United, while failure to win the cup would require them to finish seventh in the Premier League to secure a place in the Europa Conference League.
Both teams had several scoring opportunities throughout the match, with Newcastle appealing for a penalty late in the first half. Despite VAR review, no penalty was awarded, prompting criticism from Anthony Gordon, who called for improvements in the VAR system.
