Michael Carrick admitted his Manchester United side deserved to suffer their first defeat in his second spell as caretaker manager after William Osula’s 90th-minute goal condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
United were unbeaten in seven games since Carrick took charge in January, and looked in an excellent position to extend that run when Newcastle midfielder Jacob Ramsey was controversially sent off at the end of the first half, receiving a second yellow card for simulation.
But moments after his sending off, Newcastle took the lead when Anthony Gordon fell to a challenge from Bruno Fernandes and then converted from the penalty spot.
Casemiro equalized with a header in first-half added time, but United failed to make the most of their extra man thereafter.
Aaron Ramsdale made a couple of brilliant saves to deny Lenny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee to frustrate United, but a depleted Newcastle were never really stretched, and Carrick’s men paid the price for a disappointing performance when substitute Osula curled spectacularly past Senne Lammens after an excellent run down the right.
Carrick: Manchester United not good enough
United stay third in the Premier League table but missed the chance to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place after a round of matches in which Liverpool lost to Wolves and Aston Villa’s run continued with a 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
And Carrick accepted that his players did not deserve anything from the game.
““We’re not happy with the way we played tonight,” Carrick told TNT Sports.
“The way the game went, we had it very much in our hands, but the credit goes to Newcastle and the way they approached it. “We knew it would be difficult, but we got the game to a position where we could go ahead, but we didn’t. “It was a bitter disappointment really.
“I don’t think it was the [difficulty of playing] 10 men, we just didn’t play well enough. We can’t make excuses for that. We all take responsibility for that.
“It was simply the quality of the performance, it wasn’t the character or the desire to win, it’s easy to throw that away simply because you don’t win a football match.
“Newcastle deserved to win tonight, it pains me to say that. That’s how it was. We need to get back to work and be better for the next game.
“We lost a game, we didn’t play well enough, but overall we’re in a decent position. It hurts tonight, but we’ll be better next time.”
“We have to do it again, work hard and do the things we did to win the games we have won. We can do it, we are a good team, tonight was not for us.”
“We have to learn from it and improve. We have received a lot of praise lately and the boys deserve it, this does not change the way we approach the next game. We have everything to play for.”
Howe praises Osula’s efforts
Newcastle had lost their last three league games at St James’ Park, losing 3-2 to Everton the last time. However, his performance against United was in stark contrast to that performance, while his response to losing a man delighted manager Eddie Howe.
The Magpies had dominated the midfield in the first half, making the loss of Ramsey even more damaging.
Referee Peter Bankes ruled that Ramsey had intentionally fallen under a challenge from Lammens while attempting to catch Gordon’s pass, although Howe took a different view.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said: “An incredible night. It was a great performance throughout. 11 against 11 or 11 against 10. I thought we deserved to win.
“The main emotion [after Ramsey’s red] I was trying to figure out how we were going to play in that second half. We wanted to regroup. I thought Jacob Ramsey’s expulsion was very harsh. I don’t think he’s looking for a penalty there.
“We knew we wouldn’t have most of the ball and we would have to defend well. There have been a lot of questions about our defense lately, so it was a good opportunity to answer those questions and we did.”
Praising Ramsdale, who replaced Nick Pope after his glaring error in the defeat to Everton, Howe added: “With 10 men you know your goalkeeper is going to have to make saves. He’s a top-class goalkeeper with very good experience.”
But the most effusive applause was reserved for unlikely hero Osula, whose first Premier League goal since August was undoubtedly the most memorable of his career so far.
“He took 10 shots at the end of practice and wanted more,” Howe said. “Fair play to him. It’s the desire to repeat and practice. He’s provided an incredible moment for the fans here. It’s a great moment for him and he deserves it. Hopefully it’s a turning point for him.
“It’s a great moment for us. We have shown that we are competitive against any team.”
