Manchester United were disappointed by a better Newcastle in a goalless draw, Erik ten Hag’s first since taking over.
Only one point separated the top six teams as they began what could be crucial Premier League triple-headers in their individual seasons.
Newcastle started well on Sunday, but were forced to hold on at the end as replacement Marcus Rashford nearly prompted further stoppage-time celebrations at Old Trafford.
Eddie Howe’s side had looked dangerous in the first half, with Callum Wilson having an early penalty appeal turned down before Joelinton struck the crossbar and hit the post with his follow-up.
The hosts appeared to be lacking in ideas without Christian Eriksen, but returned for the second period with a bit between their teeth after Cristiano Ronaldo had two goals called out.
A Sean Longstaff challenge on Jadon Sancho was among a slew of spot-kick appeals that went unheeded before Ronaldo was substituted, much to his chagrin.
Rashford came on in his place and delivered a cross that Fred turned wide before heading across goal as the Red Devils failed to emulate their Europa League last-gasp victory over Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.
The dismal conclusion to an afternoon that began with shouts for Sir Alex Ferguson as he made presentations to two of his best signings was met with groans.
Ronaldo received an engraved plate after scoring his 700th club goal last weekend, while David De Gea received a plate to commemorate his 500th United appearance on Sunday.
Ten Hag made three changes to the team that battled Omonia – a team that was significantly weaker than Howe’s. Fred sliced a shot wide early on, and it didn’t take long for the confident, well-drilled Magpies to make life difficult.
Wilson had requests for a penalty against Raphael Varane turned down in the ninth minute, before Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes had chances.
The away fans could easily have been celebrating a goal in the 24th minute. Kieran Trippier’s free-kick hit the wall, but the right-back responded quickly to raise a cross over the hosts’ flat-footed defense, and Joelinton headed over the crossbar.
De Gea was on the ground when Joelinton met the rebound, only to head against the post as the ball eventually drifted out for a corner, which Wilson glanced across the goal.
Newcastle continued to put Ten Hag’s flat side to the test, with no shots on goal until the 38th minute, when Sancho cleverly put Antony in to test Nick Pope.
Wilson dragged across the face of goal shortly after the second half began, before Ronaldo reached the back of the net twice.
To begin, the 37-year-old beat Pope but stared straight at the linesman for the delayed flag, well aware that he had gone offside.
But Ronaldo was furious when his next goal was disallowed after pinching the ball away from Pope as he prepared to take a free-kick.
Referee Craig Pawson did not believe the veteran’s claims that the set-piece had already been taken, and instead booked the forward.
When Ronaldo requested for a penalty against Trippier in the 54th minute, he held his hands in the air, and the VAR denied another potential penalty four minutes later.
Longstaff made contact with Sancho in the box, but it was deemed insufficient for a penalty, to to the displeasure of the Old Trafford faithful.
Casemiro’s subsequent appeal was much more promising.
As the hosts pushed for a breakthrough, Ronaldo trudged off, and Rashford came on for the final 18 minutes.
Late in the game, the substitute sent a free-kick over Pope’s head and rounded him on the far side of the box, opting to cross for Fred rather than shoot from an acute angle, but the Brazil midfielder missed under pressure.
A better opportunity presented itself in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but Rashford headed a clipped Casemiro ball back across the face of goal.