Another pre-season friendly for Newcastle United and another game in which they were unconvincing defensively, struggling to a rather fortuitous 2-2 draw against Sheffield United in south Yorkshire. With the teams meeting up for Chris Morgan's Bramall Lane testimonial, Georginio Wijnaldum capitalised on a defensive mistake by the home side to register his second goal in as many games since signing for the Magpies, but Marc McNulty equalised not long after the break. However, Siem de Jong came off the bench and tapped in from a corner to seemingly give Newcastle the victory, only for Kieron Freeman to smash in a screamer of an equaliser for the Blades. Although the Magpies started well, their fluidity disappeared as the game wore on - and Steve McClaren will need to think long and hard about how he is going to sort out his side's defensive woes if Chancel Mbemba's signing is delayed even longer than Thursday, when Newcastle will have their hearing with the FA for a work visa. But which Newcastle players impressed at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon? And which Toon stars will McClaren expect to see a lot more from going forward with just two weeks until the Magpies' opening Premier League match against Southampton at St James' Park? Well, here are WhatCulture.com/NUFC's match ratings from the 2-2 draw between Newcastle United and Sheffield United...
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
