Pressure mounted on Erik ten Hag after Manchester United were beaten at home in embarrassing fashion, going down 3-0 to Newcastle to exit the Carabao Cup.
Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall and Joe Willock scored the goals as the holders were summarily dismissed by the side they beat in last season’s final – which seems a very long time ago now.
Newcastle had by far the better of the first half, better organised and more committed than a sorry United.
They look the lead on 29 minutes when a terrific counter led by Tino Livramento was finished by Miguel Almiron, then doubled the advantage nine minutes later thanks to Lewis Hall’s beautifully controlled volley.
United mustered a spell of pressure after the break, but struggled to create and a Newcastle clincher seemed just as likely as a United livener.
And sure enough, Willlock snaffled possession after Joelinton robbed Amrabat, his low finish cementing the result with almost half an hour still to play.
Little of note happened thereafter, Newcastle comfortably playing out time as their hosts huffed and puffed; they move into the next round. For Ten Hag, though, ejection from the Carabao Cup is the least of his worries.