MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville has slammed Erik ten Hag's tactics during the Newcastle game that resulted in a shattering 2-0 defeat.
That meant Newcastle leapfrogged United into third place in the Premier League.
And Ten Hag's troops will now nervously be looking over their shoulders with a top-four spot seriously under threat.
But Neville has laid the blame squarely at the manager's door for Newcastle's killer second goal that killed the game.
And the error? Taking off BOTH starting centre-halves at 1-0 down.
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Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, who reacted by SLAPPING the bench, were replaced by Victor Lindelof and midfielder Facundo Pellistri.
That saw United go to a back three, with Lindelof partnered by regular full-back Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot.
Callum Wilson soon headed the Magpies into what proved to be an unassailable 2-0 lead and a vital three points.
Neville explained: "Once those changes were made this was the most predictable outcome. Manchester United just had no height in there.
"You are better off having two with them both being centre-backs rather than three with two full-backs, you end up being really exposed.
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"Since the two centre backs went off it has been a mess, I didn't like it.
"I thought it might be like this. I never see one centre back working, it very rarely does.
"Shaw is playing as a second centre-back anyway, you might as well have a proper one in there."
Sub Wilson's neat header home secured maximum points after ex-Arsenal man Joe Willock had scored a header of his own on 65 minutes.
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It was exactly what Newcastle deserved from a gut-busting performance in front of a sold-out St James' Park.
United, meanwhile, were well off it, and were slammed for their performances by their own men in Luke Shaw and Ten Hag after the game.
