Matchday: Man United (a), Festive opportunity spurned

Well, that wasn't very Christmas-y, at all. Not only did Newcastle not build on the positive first-half performance at home against Chelsea, they reverted to their worst away-day selves.
Failing to create enough chances against a heavily-depleted Manchester United team, shorn of their captain and several senior figures, we were also profligate with the few we had. It's difficult not to be feeling a bit Grinchy.