United start the year with horrow show...

Manchester United started the year on the wrong note on New Year's day by only managing a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United. Reds fans have been chuckling at Chelsea's shortcomings at the back over the last couple of weeks, but this time it was United's turn to show how not to do it at St James Park on Monday evening.

Both of Newcastle goals came from United's right flank - granted the opener from James Milner was a stunning effort and Van der Sar stood no chance of saving it, but the visitors were guilty of affording the former Leeds winger too much time and space in midfield - you cannot give that kind of room to good players as eventually you will pay the price, which is what happened as Milner took full advantage of United's slipshod marking.

The visitors responded before the break and the man who did the damage was the 'ginger wizard' Paul Scholes who finished with his usual style to set up the second half for a full blooded onslaught on the Newcastle goal and sure enough United fans were rejoicing again as Paul Scholes was on target just after the interval with another great finish, the wizard somehow managed to beat most of the Newcastle defence with some pure magic on the edge of the penalty area which gave Shay Given in the Newcastle goal no chance.

United looked to be running out easy winners by dominating the possession and by creating some good chances, but against the run of play Newcastle scored at the death after United's midfield once again offered the home side acres of space to exploit which resulted in the equalising goal plus an undeserved share of the spoils.

If United have ambitions of winning the title and especially the Champions League then the midfield will need to be a lot tighter than it was against the Geordies and this is why the club desperately needs to sign Owen Hargreaves as currently we don't have a player who can dominate the centre of the park. Granted the game was entertaining and as it was en-to-end stuff, but the manner of Newcastle's two goals should set the alarm bells ringing at Old Trafford, and if they aren't ringing something is very wrong with our analysis.