Was at the game yesterday, very disappointed with the result, but the first-half performance was very encouraging. I'll try and run-through the players with an unbiased view... should be challenging...
Newcastle
Given was same as always, didn't command the defence enough, but played well enough to stop Man Utd from scoring a bucket-load.
O'Brien should have definitely been sent-off for his challenge on Giggs, it was right in front of me, and he was nowhere near the ball, had a very good game other than that though.
I thought Bramble played very well in the first half and kept Ruud very quiet indeed, got overrun in the second half when our midfield decided to stop picking up Keane and Scholes.
Hughes was very impressive in a role he usually doesn't fare too well in, had a hell of a task against Giggs/Solskjaer, but did enough to keep them very quiet in the first half, and they weren't too much of a threat second either. Good attacking play as well at points.
Griffin did fine in the defensive respect, but offered absolutely nothing going forward, the sooner we get a good right-back the better IMO.
Speed... well, what the hell happened here? Maybe two trips to Serbia in the space of 2 weeks and 3 games has taken its toll, but he was rank today, passing was awful and he should have battled it out more with Keane and Djemba... where was he when Scholes scored?
Dyer's running and commitment were second-to-none today and he was actually putting his foot in for a change, which was really pleasing to watch. Sorry to say that this was all he did for 90 minutes, positionally was awful and he can't finish to save his life.
Bowyer is being totally wasted on the right, and I'm desperate for Nobby Solano to be reinstated. He was very quiet and seemed to be under orders to play more defensively to combat the attacking threat of Giggs, he did a good job in that respect, but you need wingers to be attacking.
Robert :l After defending him time-and-time again to my mates and the people around me, today he was embarassing to watch. Apart from the excellent free-kick for Shearer's goal, he was useless in his defensive play and didn't have the support to offer enough going forward. Attitude is seriously annoying.
Ameobi, after looking the part and a ready-made replacement for Shearer in most of the recent games he played, he seemed to take a big step backwards. Should win much more in the air and needs to be more committed in general.
Shearer was, as usual, our stand-out player. Commitment was brilliant as usual, and even with a lack of support he managed to hold-up the ball well and start off some moves with good passing.
Man Utd
Howard didn't have much to do, but seems like a very competent keeper, his throwing and kicking were very impressive.
P. Neville looked the part today and wasn't at-all threatened much by Robert, he might be ugly, but he's a decent enough player.
O'Shea, probably not his favoured position, but looked really strong and didn't have much to do against Bowyer anyway, some nice touches and even did a few step-overs at one point.
Ferdinand was absolutely masterful today, showing his value well, some of his touches were pure class and he won almost everything in the air... wish we had him to partner Woody.
Silvestre was also strong for most of the game, his pace helped Man U out a lot at the back and some of his long passes were immense.
Djemba-Djemba, under Keane's guidance bossed the midfield, played some nice passes, will be a very strong player when he settles in more.
Keane, hate the focker, but he was on top-form today, should've been booked for 3 fouls he committed, but other than that he was outstanding both going forward and tracking back, commanded Speed/Dyer.
Scholes was quite quiet today apart from his goal, although some of his passes were a joy to watch, Dyer take note, mister.
Giggs - top class as usual, frightened the life out of us with his pace, passing/movement was top-drawer.
Solskjaer was kept quiet too, but as a fan you always knew he was there, looks to have been turned into a really high quality player.
Ruud was a class-act, held up the ball as well as Shearer and his finish for the goal was amazing, some great pass-and-move as well.
There we go, hopefully made Man U look like they had a great game so that there's no shame in us losing. Ronaldo looked like a one-trick pony with the step-overs when he came on, might find it difficult against the better teams in his first season, but will surely be class.
Roll on Partizan Belgrade for the tidy sum of 10 squid, then Birmingham on Saturday, hopefully with JJ and Nobby in the team. If Bellamy and Woodgate are back, then we should cruise these games.
HAWAY THE LADS!
- he can stop talkin about them, middlesborough are a joke :mrgreen:
As for Newcastle we had some really good games vereses each other last season, and your forgetting we beat you as well. Yes i know you also beat us but thats football. Your the better team - also fact. 
