Manchester United’s 100% winning start to the season ended as Newcastle United produced a battling display to secure their second point of the campaign.
Wayne Rooney had a goal ruled out for offside as Louis van Gaal’s United made a blistering start before Newcastle responded through Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Serbia striker headed against the United bar before Newcastle’s Tim Krul denied Javier Hernandez.
Chris Smalling headed against the Newcastle post in the closing moments.
United started and finished well but were left frustrated as Newcastle survived the home side’s early attacks and came close to taking the lead themselves.
Newcastle boss Steve McClaren, the former Manchester United assistant manager, could have been celebrating the perfect return to Old Trafford but new signing Florian Thauvin narrowly failed to connect with Papiss Cisse’s ball across the six-yard area in added time.
Manchester United lacking upfront
Van Gaal saw his side put heavy pressure on Newcastle’s goal with 20 shots. Inside the first 20 minutes alone, the hosts had more shots on target – four – than they managed in their opening two league games.
Seven points from three games is a satisfactory return, while United have yet to concede in 270 minutes of Premier League action.
But it is at the other end of the pitch where their problems lie, two goals in three games against Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle highlighting a lack of cutting edge.
Juan Mata, Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin, and even defender Luke Shaw, all had great chances but were denied by a combination of great goalkeeping from Krul and poor finishing.
Wayne Rooney is struggling
Rooney was narrowly offside when he beat Krul with a fine finish in the fourth minute.
Yet the England man’s performance mirrored that of his team – hungry and bright at the start before fading.
He is without a goal for his club since 4 April but Rooney has not been helped by a lack of pace around him.
McClaren has made Newcastle hard to beat
McClaren has endured an unspectacular start to his reign at Newcastle, the Magpies arriving at Old Trafford on the back of a home draw against Southampton and an away defeat by Swansea.
Yet they produced enough evidence over the 90 minutes to show they will be no soft touches this season.
Having survived United’s early barrage, they looked the most likely to score with Mitrovic so close with his header.
When United were at their most dangerous, Newcastle defended bravely with Fabricio Coloccini leading by example with some vital challenges.
