Premier League: Manchester United escape Newcastle with a point
Red Devils stumble in race for top four
Edinson Cavani stepped off the bench to mark his first Premier League appearance since October with the equaliser as Manchester United drew 1-1 at Newcastle United.
Newcastle went ahead with a stunning strike from Allan Saint-Maximin on seven minutes. Sean Longstaff’s threaded pass picked out the Frenchman, who cut inside two defenders before expertly placing the ball into the far corner.
Saint-Maximin was denied at close-range by David De Gea seconds after the break before his opposite number Martin Dubravka made a flying save from Marcus Rashford’s swerving long-range effort as United responded.
Substitute Cavani struck the equaliser with 20 minutes left, firing home at the second attempt, and the Uruguayan nearly added a second on 75 minutes only for Dubravka to avert the danger.
In a pulsating finish Jacob Murphy hit the post and De Gea superly tipped Miguel Almiron’s follow-up over the bar as Newcastle had to settle for a point.
Man United remain in seventh spot with 28 points.
Newcastle, who lost Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximin to injury, lie 19th with 11.
