Manchester United still have work to do to address major Gary Neville concern

On Saturday evening, it will be eight months to the day since Manchester United last visited Newcastle United.

Back then, the Reds entered the game knowing a result would be crucial to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. A similar sense of magnitude is evident in the clash this weekend too.

However for Erik ten Hag, this is where he will hope the comparisons end. The Reds were second best in front of a raucous St James' Park in April as Joe Willock and Callum Wilson's goals sunk the visitors. It was a kick in the teeth for United who had recovered relatively well from the 7-0 mauling at Liverpool a month prior. While the performance at Newcastle was nowhere near as shambolic, Gary Neville highlighted post-match a worrying trend he could see from this team.

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"There are emerging signs away from home, in the big games, when you really have to turn up and show that spirit, that fight, that courage to play, and have the quality to play, there is more evidence that they are not good enough in these type of matches," a disappointed Neville told Sky Sports. "They can still go on to have a good season. Manchester United have responded many times. But they have been well beaten today, let us be clear.

"They are not fooling anyone in terms of the bigger picture of where they need to go. Erik ten Hag will know that they need to make sure they continue to improve but there are worrying signs in these big matches away from home.

"They just do not turn up. They were never in that game today. You are thinking they are going to improve in the second half but they did not. They were really