Casemiro floated a cross to the far post with nearly the last touch of a poor game. Rashford, the substitute, soared highest, but his attempt flew wide of the far post.
A goal at that moment would have been cruel on Newcastle, who came within a whisker of sealing just their second victory at Old Trafford since 1972, but Joelinton’s first-half header struck the crossbar and the Brazilian failed to head the rebound into an empty net.
Cristiano Ronaldo summed well the frustrations of the hosts.
The Portuguese striker, who had two second-half goals disallowed, shook his head in displeasure when Rashford replaced him 18 minutes from time.
He kept chuntering to himself and shook his head till he got to the dugout.
He kept chuntering to himself and shook his head until he got to the dugout, where he sank down in seething dissatisfaction.
Antony pushed Nick Pope into his first important stop late in the first period, at the end of a Jadon Sancho-led counter-attack.
The home team did put the ball in the net twice after halftime, but both times, Ronaldo’s attempt was ruled out.
The first was obviously offside. The second point was more contentious.
Ronaldo and his teammates contended that since Fabian Schar rolled a free kick back to Pope, the ball was in play. Pope remained still as Ronaldo came in, implying that he believed the kick would still be taken.
Referee Craig Pawson sided with the England keeper, so Ronaldo nipping in to get the ball and tap into an empty net only brought him a yellow card.
Evidently Ten Hag was not impressed with Pawson’s performances judging by the way the Dutchman marched towards the official at the final whistle.
It was another positive result for Newcastle, who have now drew with both Manchester teams this season and have just lost once.
Joelinton should have placed them first. De Gea was on the ground after attempting to stop the Brazilian’s initial header from Kieran Trippier’s cross, so all the Brazilian had to do was find the back of the net.
Unfortunately for the visitors, he did not succeed, just as Miguel Almiron hurried his second-half effort from a pre-planned corner routine and rocketed it into the Stretford End when he had plenty of time to do better.
Nonetheless, this was one of Newcastle’s stronger performances on a site where they seldom win and have not even grabbed a point since 2015.
Trippier in particular looked impressive, which is encouraging for Gareth Southgate considering the recent terrible news for so many of his right-backs.
If anyone is going to gatecrash the established top six this season, Newcastle appear to be the team to accomplish it.
