Man United gave Erik ten Hag the kind of performance he has been missing during this miserable season in what could be his farewell to Old Trafford, writes CHRIS WHEELER after the 3-2 win over Newcastle

If this indeed turns out to be Erik ten Hag’s farewell to Old Trafford, at least he will leave with a victory. Manchester United gave their manager the kind of performance that has so often been lacking during this miserable of seasons. The kind that will make Ten Hag wonder what could have been.

Where has this spirit been these last 10 months? This spine? Who knows, Ten Hag might still get another chance. But if his team had played like this more regularly, the Dutchman would not have found himself in this situation.

Bruno Fernandes rarely let Ten Hag down and on Wednesday night he played like he had something to prove in a week when his own future at United was under scrutiny.

Casemiro, criticized as an emergency central defender in recent weeks, also looked like a man on a mission. Amad Diallo was excellent again and restored United’s lead after Antony Gordon canceled out Kobbie Mainoo’s opener.

Rasmus Hojlund, left on the bench, came on and silenced his critics with what proved to be the decisive goal before Lewis Hall pulled one back. Everywhere you looked in this United team there was improvement. It may be too little, too late, for both United and Ten Hag.

Amad Diallo scored a superb goal after Newcastle failed to clear a corner to put United back in front.

It was his first goal since his spectacular winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The victory puts them level with Newcastle but still in eighth place. The goal difference means they will need to improve on Newcastle’s result at Brentford when they travel to Brighton on Sunday to sneak into the Europa Conference.

The only other route to Europe is to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final and qualify for the Europa League. These are only crumbs of comfort, it must be said.

Afterward, Ten Hag grew impatient while waiting for Fernandes to finish his post-match interview with Aerial sports and physically dragged his captain off camera before grabbing the mic himself.

What followed was a passionate speech from a man who hasn’t finished yet. “As you know, it has not been an easy season, but one thing has remained constant and that is your support for the team,” he told the fans who remained on hand to applaud their team.

“But this season is not over yet. We go to Brighton, then Wembley, and I promise you these players will give everything to win this cup and take it to Old Trafford.

Next week marks the second anniversary of Ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford, all smiles and optimism in his beige suit.

He came out of the tunnel here on Wednesday night in front of the Stretford End (or the shallow end if you’ve been following the jokes on social media since Sunday’s deluge after the defeat to Arsenal) with no guarantee he’ll be back in the shelter next season as Ineos’ new minority owners prepare to decide its future.

This result – and this performance – will do no harm to his cause. It showed that Ten Hag is still fighting and his players are still fighting for him.

It was just enough to give United victory over a Newcastle side who are just one goal away from equaling the club’s Premier League record of 82 set by Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers, but whose contact in front of the goal abandoned them at a crucial moment of a breathtaking second. half here. Alexander Isak, Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron will all reflect on missed opportunities.

But having lost all three meetings against Eddie Howe’s side since the high point of Ten Hag’s England career – last season’s Carabao Cup final triumph – United deserved this.

Kobbie Mainoo found the bottom corner to give United the lead in the first half

Mainoo was congratulated by his teammates after scoring his third league goal of the season.

Newcastle started the second half strongly and Anthony Gordon found the net from close range to bring his team level.

Gordon was a major threat all evening and was delighted with his goal at Old Trafford

By the time they took the lead, Ten Hag’s men had already moved closer thanks to Casemiro, Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Then in the 31st minute, Diallo found Mainoo in front of goal and the Newcastle players no longer thought he was offside.

But Kieran Trippier, who had a difficult first start since early March due to injury, committed the same sin as Casemiro against Arsenal by staying far too deep to play the teenager. Mainoo steadied himself before heading a shot past Martin Dubravka from 15 yards.

Newcastle rallied. Gordon shouted loudly for a penalty after Amrabat tried to rectify a mistake, but VAR disagreed. Casemiro somehow headed Dan Burn’s effort off the line. Once again the margins were good with not all of the ball crossing the line.

The visitors were level less than four minutes into the second half, however, as Jacob Murphy delivered an excellent cross from the left and Gordon stretched to apply an even better finish.

Lewis Hall gave Newcastle late hope with a long-range strike, but the damage was done

Erik ten Hag will be wondering where this kind of performance has been in a dismal season for the Red Devils

Very often this United team folds when games turn against them, and that almost happened again moments later when Isak was clear, but Amrabat’s final challenge sent the ball looping over the bar .

United regained the lead in the 57th minute when Fernandes delivered a corner from the left and Murphy’s header flew through a crowded goalmouth to Diallo who headed past Dubravka.

Hojlund added a third in the 84th minute when he fired a shot inside the keeper’s right post. The Dane had been criticized for scoring just one goal in his last eight league matches, and did not hesitate to put a finger to his lips in celebration.

Hall’s excellent strike in injury time made for a nervy finish, but United never take things the easy way, even when playing well.