The back-up goalkeeper looked shaky after replacing Andre Onana as Ruben Amorim's side were thrashed on Tyneside
Manchester United thought they had just one dodgy goalkeeper; it turns out they have two. Altay Bayindir made his long-awaited Premier League debut against Newcastle on Sunday to give the hapless Andre Onana time to "disconnect" after his dismal showing at Lyon, but the Turk ended up making his fellow goalkeeper feel better after blundering in a damaging 4-1 defeat for Ruben Amorim's side.
Bayindir gifted Bruno Guimaraes a late goal which completed a rout for the Magpies after a Harvey Barnes double had already put them on their way to victory in a rampant second-half display. Alejandro Garnacho had cancelled out Sandro Tonali's opener in the first half, but United failed to compete in the second period and will be low on confidence for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon.
Amorim made five changes to his line up, which included leaving Onana out of the squad altogether, and Bayindir was beaten in the second minute by Joelinton, only for the Brazilian to be denied by the offside flag. There was no reprieve when Tonali volleyed Newcastle ahead in the 24th minute, though, after a delightful piece of skill from Alexander Isak, who flicked the ball into the air and guided it into the path of the Italian.
United responded with a well-worked counter-attack, beginning with some clever play from Manuel Ugarte to release Diogo Dalot, who in turn played in Garnacho to control the ball with his right foot and then fire it in off the post with a confident strike. His celebration – posing in front of the Gallowgate End – exuded confidence, or to be more accurate, arrogance.
Newcastle got themselves back in front early in the second half with a sweeping move finished off by Barnes which completely dazzled United's defenders. The Red Devils had another setback soon after when Joshua Zirkzee hobbled off with a painful-looking injury, and things got even worse when Noussair Mazraoui slipped over after a challenge from Barnes and the midfielder tore past the visitors' bumbling defenders to score again.
Surprisingly, that was not the worst moment of the game, which came soon after when Bayindir played the ball straight to Joelinton, who nodded it to a grateful Guimaraes and the Brazilian rifled in the fourth.
GOAL United's players from St James' Park…
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Altay Bayindir (3/10):
Looked nervous even before his late howler. A good save from Isak on the rebound was the only positive note from a very shaky display, completed by a gaffe to rival Onana's latest work.
Noussair Mazraoui (4/10):
His slip handed Newcastle their third and ended all hope of a comeback. Before that he had defended well, in keeping with his consistent performances of late.
Victor Lindelof (5/10):
Did OK in the first half but couldn't cope with Newcastle's speed-freaks when they turned it on after the break.
Leny Yoro (5/10):
One of United's better performers in Lyon, he was brought back down to earth and given a brutal reminder of the physical intensity of the best sides in the Premier League.
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Diogo Dalot (5/10):
Good going forward, helping with Garnacho's leveller. But off the pace defensively, as Livramento cruised past him.
Christian Eriksen (4/10):
Contributed to a stylish move involving Fernandes and Zirkzee, but this was not the right game for his pedestrian pace and Newcastle's hyper-intense midfield destroyed him.
Manuel Ugarte (5/10):
Played a key role in the equaliser, but his sloppy passing was also on display and he could not live with Newcastle's formidable midfield trio.
Harry Amass (6/10):
An encouraging full debut for United and didn't contribute to the worst moments as he had been taken off in the 55th minute.
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Bruno Fernandes (5/10):
Responsible for a couple of nice passages of play, but this was not his strongest display and it looked as if, understandably, he was reserving some energy for Lyon.
Joshua Zirkzee (5/10):
Should have done better with his first-half attempt. Played some nice moves and he will be missed against Lyon after coming off with a worrying injury.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):
At last scored against a team other than Leicester, producing a top-draw finish. Taken off early in the second half with one eye on Lyon.
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Patrick Dorgu (5/10):
Imprecise and ineffective at stopping Newcastle's threat down the flank.
Rasmus Hojlund (5/10):
A downgrade on Zirkzee, his arrival coinciding with United falling apart.
Mason Mount (5/10):
Had a half-hearted attempt at goal.
Luke Shaw (5/10):
Made his first appearance of the season in the 78th minute, but it was not a good occasion to mark his comeback.
Kobbie Mainoo (N/A):
Brought on in the 88th minute.
Ruben Amorim (5/10):
Rotated his squad for Lyon, but didn't rest the players that needed it the most such as Fernandes, Dalot and Garnacho – and now he will be without Zirkzee.
