Brazil's men struggled against Newcastle.

Manchester United's afternoon was characterized by the crowd's indifference when Erik ten Hag called for more stoppage time.

The third United-Newcastle match not to be televised live in the UK in 10 seasons had high aspirations. A 4-3 Boxing Day thriller and Cristiano Ronaldo's return preceded them. Rightsholders were right.

Many in the audience blamed United's lifelessness on the 2pm kick-off hour. At full-time, Craig Pawson received the loudest boos.

Pawson was shady like Fred, but not as terrible. Callum Wilson's penalty shout for Raphael Varane's aggressive challenge was the strongest.

United should avoid dramatic tumbles. The Video Assistant Referee may have intervened had Sean Longstaff hit Jadon Sancho more organically.

United were desperate. Ronaldo was desperate, so he "intercepted" a free-kick and scored. For once, Ronaldo was onside. Pawson enjoyed warning Ronaldo.

This run of Premier League fixtures was always going to be a good indicator of United, and pre-season concerns about the team have been confirmed. Nearly every spine vertebra needs reinforcement.Hesitation from David de Gea slows or stops strikes. On his 500th appearance, his slow distribution irritated some United fans.

Sir Alex Ferguson's praise of De Gea and Ronaldo reminded us of United's best player and goalkeeper.

United signed De Gea in 2011 and Ronaldo in 2003.

Alisson's aggressive punt handed Manchester City their first loss of the season hours after United drew. Some goalies may dislike being rated on passing rather than shot-stopping, but the game has changed and you must adapt. Still.

De Gea was indispensable when he was least devoted to United. He is throwaway at his most committed. "If they let me stay here," he told a Perth hotel in July.

United would be unconventional and daring to refuse De Gea's one-year contract option and release him after 12 years in the summer. A bolder club might. After a year, Guardiola replaced Bravo with Ederson.

United lack a lock-picker without Christian Eriksen, and some fans wanted Fred locked up. Fred's sixth start of the season three days after his removal against Omonia Nicosia was worse.

Fred's day sucked.

Only United could field a £122million midfield combination of Brazil internationals and be intimidated by Sean Longstaff. Marcus Rashford missed a late Casemiro cross. Fred fails after a good season.

United will need a youthful, dynamic midfielder at the conclusion of the season with three 30-somethings. Zidane Iqbal, 19, and Kobbie Mainoo, 17, made their Premier League debuts this weekend. Iqbal emulates Frenkie de Jong.

De Jong may be available again and open to extradition after Barcelona's struggles. After summer, buyer beware. Donny van de Beek, a red flag for Eredivisie talent scouts, also leaves United.

Ronaldo is aging, and Portugal is debating whether he should start the World Cup. United are more fluid with Anthony Martial at the top of their attack, but he has started once in the Premier League in the previous year and lasted 29 minutes at Everton.

Martial began over Ronaldo at Everton.

Ronaldo sank needlessly deep against Newcastle to show his adaptability to stay in Ten Hag's frontline. It was also his only unflagged position.

Ronaldo's withdrawal was criticized but justified. Rashford was more dangerous, but his two finest chances showed his incongruity as a centre striker.

After Ronaldo retires, United will need a proven goalscorer. Antony, an extravagant £85.51m signing, is one-footed and did not attack Dan Burn, an auxiliary left-back. Imagine the price of a non-Hollands No.9.

United will need a right-back to back up Diogo Dalot, who has started 20 games, unless Ethan Laird, who has excelled on loan at Queens Park Rangers, is trusted. Both reserves—Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams—are injured.

Wan-Bissaka was absent from Sunday's directors' box. He's been away. Few have noticed.