Manchester Utd vs Newcastle: 5 Things We Learned at Old Trafford

What a confusing match.

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United at Old Trafford. If you saw it, you're thinking the same thing I am right now.

How in the heck did that happen?

To say United dominated would be the understatement of the season. More correctly, United reigned supreme. The visitors from Newcastle, a group of (let's be honest) wannabes admirably pushing for the top four, played well but simply couldn't compete.

The hosts took more than a half to create a goal, and even though the breakthrough owed more than a little to fluke, its arrival must have indicated to most onlookers that Newcastle's resistance was about to end.

It's no exaggeration to say that United created a chance every minute or so, especially when they were playing their best. Sir Alex Ferguson's team took 29 shots—as in one less than 30!—and hit the target seven times.

United held 60 percent of possession. They won 11 corners. They created more than enough chances to win.

So what happened?

If there were a stat for giveaways—and there might be somewhere in the depths of the Opta laboratories—it would no doubt prove most instructive. For every chance United created, they also gave away another.

And for every dangerous moment they engineered, they saw another ended through a combination of wasteful finishing, outstanding goalkeeping, pure bad luck and last-ditch defending.

That's not even mentioning Newcastle's penalty. That was a diabolically poor call by the linesman and an even worse decision by the referee to allow himself to be overruled. But it's not the reason United failed to win this game.

United failed to win this game because they didn't do enough to win it. It's easy to blame the referee, but it's not correct.

Manchester United should have won this game. They didn't, though, and that's because they were too wasteful in the final third.

Now it's time to diagnose the problem and move forward. With Manchester City poised to move even further ahead in the table, that's the only direction Ferguson and his squad can go.

1. Manchester United Must Look at Themselves First

Sir Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United players will complain about Newcastle United's penalty.

What they will say is that they should have won because the referee made a poor decision. They're right and they're wrong.

Yes, Manchester United should have won. Yes, the referee made a poor decision. But United's failure didn't have much to do with the referee's decision.

United took 29 shots and controlled possession 60 percent of the time. They laid siege Newcastle's goal for the final 20 minutes. They peppered the the frame with shots.

But they only scored one goal—and that lone goal was, admittedly, a bit fluky. Wayne Rooney's low shot was dangerous, but Chicharito's rebound was entirely unplanned. He knew nothing about it until he saw the replay after the match.

And that was the only goal United scored in 90 minutes.

They missed glorious chance in 77th minute. Nani dribbled down right and pulled back for Young, who somehow missed at the near post. Nani's second-to-last touch was below standard, but the ball still arrived in time for Young to bury hist shot.

Moments later Vidic nearly scored, but his point-blank header went right at Krul, whose save looked spectacular but was in fact routine.

When Krul finally was beaten, Newcastle's defense bailed him out. Danny Simpson was on hand to clear another fine effort off the line.

Finally, Chicharito could and should have scored a late winner, but he couldn’t keep himself onside. He and Manchester United have only Chicharito to blame for that one.

There were several reasons for United's offensive failure, including an immense effort from Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

There was only one reason, though, that Manchester United failed to win. Hint: It wasn't the ref.

2. But the Referee Was Wrong

Except that he was right at first.

The referee initially called a corner kick after Rio Ferdinand won the ball fairly from Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa with a perfectly executed sliding tackle inside the Manchester United box.

The linesman, however, immediately raised his flag for a penalty.

Replays showed the referee had been correct with his first reaction. That makes it even harder to understand his decision. If he knew it was a corner that means he knew Ferdinand won the ball.

Why, then, did he reverse himself?

Only he'll know.

3. What to Make of Newcastle?

Newcastle started the season gloriously, riding high in third place until last weekend's loss to Manchester City.

Saturday's trip to Old Trafford provided an opportunity for the Magpies to reassert their top-four credentials. After escaping with a 1-1 draw, we're not any closer to knowing what the think about their chances.

True, Newcastle earned a point at Old Trafford, which is better than Arsenal can say. Not coincidentally, Newcastle succeeded where Arsenal failed because of the stability of their back four, which has been intact for every match this season.

On the flip side, Newcastle created little over 90 minutes. Their only goal came from a dodgy refereeing decision, and Coloccini, a central defender, was the only player to create a legitimate chance from the run of play. His wicked bouncing effort was saved well by De Gea in the second half, and Manchester United's goal was rarely threatened otherwise.

Arsenal have apparently sorted themselves out at the back, and the other big clubs are lurking just behind Newcastle. But while Newcastle still have a few points and a result at Old Trafford to hold over a team like Arsenal, it's hard to imagine Newcastle staying where they are for much longer.

Isn't it?

4. Tim Krul Is a Beast

Krul has been outstanding all season as Newcastle have built one of the Premier League's toughest defenses.

Before the Manchester City game last weekend, Krul had allowed only eight goals in 11 matches. That record included clean sheets against Arsenal (home), Sunderland (away), QPR (away) and Wigan (home).

Krul has allowed four goals in his last two matches, but he's been just as brilliant. Against Manchester United, he was immense again, saving expertly from Vidic's point-blank header in the second half.

As Newcastle continue their quest for a top-four spot, they have few players more important to them than their Dutch keeper.

5. United Are Teetering

The title race is far from over. Between now and May, several twists and turns will surprise all of us.

As of right now, though, Manchester United don't look the part. The glorious start rests in the distant past, replaced by nervy 1-0 wins and now a home draw to a plucky but inferior team.

If Manchester City win at Anfield on Sunday, their lead will stand at seven points. But after last month's 6-1 thrashing of United at Old Trafford, that seven-point gap would feel more like 70.