Wes Brown could be in contention for a first team return after
completing 45 minutes for United’s Reserves on Thursday evening,
but the England international’s presence couldn’t inspire a victory
over Newcastle.
Brown looked comfortable as he lined up for Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer’s side for the second time this week, and left the fray
unscathed at half-time as the two sides contested a hard-fought
draw.
Skipper Corry Evans neatly put his side in the lead after nine
minutes but, like his colleagues, could only watch on helplessly as
Frank Wiafe Danquah thundered home a stunning equaliser for the
Magpies 10 minutes later.
Fabio saw his penalty saved with just over 10 minutes remaining
as United missed the chance to secure second spot in the Barclays
Premier Reserve League (north), but there was enough quality on
show to why these two sides are both likely to finish the season in
the top three positions.
It was United who were faster out of the blocks. Evans, playing
in his more accustomed midfield role, had already seen one drilled
effort saved by Magpies goalkeeper Tim Krul before he put United
ahead inside 10 minutes.
Lee Martin picked up a header from Matty James, brought the ball
under control and advanced on goal, before slipping through a pass
which required a neat, simple left-footed finish in-between Krul’s
legs.
The Reds continued to call the tune, but the visitors’ forward
line – and the imposing Nile Ranger in particular – were proving a
handful, although it took a bolt from the blue to bring Newcastle
level. A long punt forward was brought down and laid off by Ranger
and Danquah struck a stunning 25-yard effort past the helpless
Tomasz Kuszczak.
The absence of a striker by-trade in the United ranks became
more apparent as the half wore on, with chances few and far
between. At the other end, Ranger was perhaps a touch unfortunate
to see his headed goal chalked off for climbing on James.
Chances were at even more of a premium after the break, but the
best of them fell to Newcastle. Xisco powered against the outside
of Kuszczak’s post from a tight angle, before the Pole’s half-save
from the Spanish striker was cleared to safety by Fabio.
The Brazilian was disappointed shortly afterwards, however, as
he missed the opportunity to snatch all three points. Martin was
upended in the Newcastle area, but Fabio’s spot-kick was at a
comfortable height for Krul to palm away.
United: Kuszczak; Brown (Stewart 46), Eckersley, Gill, Fabio;
Drinkwater, Gibson (Eikrem 63), James, C Evans, Tosic;
Martin.
Subs not used: Amos, Brandy.