Steve Bruce has explained his decision to take off Allan Saint-Maximin at Old Trafford last night.
Bruce also hooked playmaker Miguel Almiron - despite the South American being one of Newcastle’s main threats.
The Magpies were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United and slumped to their eighth defeat in 10 matches.
A brief spell had seen Saint-Maximin drag United level before a second-half collapse handed Man United the points.
When asked about the winger’s withdrawal, Bruce said: “Allan, for me, physically is still not right.
“I think Almiron was totally exhausted with the workrate that he put on.
“With 10 minutes to go, or whatever it was, I was worried for the pair of them, especially Allan. I was worried that, physically, he was holding his hamstrings and his groin.
“One thing we can’t have is another injury to either of those two.”
