Steve Bruce has insisted he was satisfied with Joelinton’s efforts after shunting the £40million striker to a left-sided position.
It is a role that Joelinton operated in for Hoffenheim during his Bundesliga days and one United feel will help him during his extended adjustment period on Tyneside.
The Magpies hoped that Joelinton would have been up to speed in a goalscoring sense but Bruce will persevere with the Brazilian.
After the 0-0 draw with Burnley, Bruce said: “I certainly thought he was comfortable in the position.
“As we've seen before, certainly [playing] to a side suits him – he played a lot there in Germany and he's comfortable there.”
With Joelinton moved out of the firing line the emphasis was placed on Dwight Gayle to end Newcastle’s goal drought.
But the former Crystal Palace man couldn’t find a way past Nick Pope.
Bruce said: “I was particularly pleased for Dwight too.
“He hasn't really been able to play for the past seven months and I thought he gave them a threat.”
The reshuffle also saw Miguel Almiron moved to a No 10 position for the Magpies.
Bruce said: “Almiron's best position is off the front and he did okay as well without scoring a goal.”
