What a golden opportunity missed. Yet again. What frustration. How predictable. Five draws from the last six Premier League matches and but for an 89th minute winner home to Fulham it would have been a full house.
Newcastle are tip toeing uphill in their quest for Champions League qualification. Tottenham ought to have been their Spur. They got slaughtered conceding four goals at Leicester and United could have gone four points ahead of fifth place with a game in hand but failed to do so.
What has happened to United's famed intensity? To their quick, slick passing? To their goal threat? Even to their iron tight defending?
READ MORE: Newcastle notes: Eddie Howe's Ryan Fraser move and 'emotional' post-game scenes
In their last two matches the meanest defence in the division has conceded criminally sloppy and identical goals _ a corner flicked on, players not picking up all over the penalty area, and finally an opponent left unmarked outside the far post having a tap in.
Indeed but for Kieran Trippier clearing off the line in the 90th minute after an elementary clanger by Dan Burn it could have been an awful lot worse. Burn epitomises how United have individually and collectively fallen off the cliff edge in terms of performance.
Oh, and while we are bemoaning a worrying drop in form there is more. With Wembley only a fortnight away United were without Callum Wilson through a recurring hamstring problem which consistently worries fans and during the game lost Joe Willock, Miggy Almiron, and Allan Saint Maximin to injury.
As though all that was not enough Joelinton picked up his ninth booking at the death to face an inevitable ban in the league but thankfully not the cup.
See what I mean about all round frustration? The super slick, high pressing United who stormed the first half of the season have gone off the boil just as their biggest game in 24 years - a Wembley cup final - is looming on the horizon.
There is a staleness where once there was freshness. It is a concern for all of us who care. Of course Eddie Howe plays it down publicly as he must but inside he must be searching for answers.
Club legend Alan Shearer called United 'leggy.' In footballing parlance that is 'tired and sluggish.' Some in the game suggest that the way United want to play - the intensity and high pressing - cannot be maintained for a full season when the team remains basically without change unless forced.
Even unexpected leaders Arsenal, unchanged for six games in a row, have suddenly taken only one point out of the last six. The reality is that it's a marathon not a sprint.
Maybe a draw at the Emirates was magnificent but not two points dropped against Leeds and West Ham at home plus Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Average to poor sides all.
Wilson is worrying. Fans feel he is as fragile as a chocolate fireguard and Alexander Isak who started in his place failed to make the most of the chance as well as losing the guy who scored Bournemouth's goal. Trippier was the first to mislay his man, Isak the last.
What the result must be measured against is the gulf that existed between the two teams prior to kick off. United had the best defence in the PL and Bournemouth the worst. United were unbeaten in 16 league matches while their opponents had won just once in their last 12. We were fourth top, they were second bottom.
The Mags had not conceded the first goal in their previous 14 outings since they faced Bournemouth up here back in September!
United have now failed to beat the Cherries twice in the league (both 1-1 draws) and there is no question that the hosts deserved what they got if not more.
Geordies are in dire need of a lift so here goes: Bruno Guimaraes is on his way back for the Cup final and United are still fourth top with only one league defeat in 22 games.
Yes, of course, the Magpies have never won without Bruno and they must face Liverpool at St James' Park next up thirsting for revenge for that one loss with the Brazilian absent once again but, hey, we desperately need to retain some positivity.
READ NEXT
- Newcastle owners have their man, Eddie Howe's 'strong' words at half-time and fuming Sven Botman
- Bournemouth make 'run for their money' statement but Newcastle change leaves Gary O'Neil 'desperate'
- Newcastle get glimpse into brand new system Eddie Howe may be forced to use against Liverpool
- Joelinton's booking concern but only red card vs Liverpool will see him miss Carabao Cup final
- Alan Shearer's honest verdict as Newcastle pick up 'lucky' point at Bournemouth
