OPINION
Newcastle fans weren’t happy with what they saw from Mo Diame at St James’ Park tonight.
Rafa Benitez had a gameplan – as usual – and at half-time had successfully frustrated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his newly-invigorated United side.
It was no thanks to Diame though. He’s put in some pretty hefty performances this season but tonight he just seemed determined to prove he couldn’t pass the ball.
He also tried a 40-year shot when he had five or six players in front of him in good positions to pass to.
However, to his credit he did keep Paul Pogba quiet and he’d scored four goals in his last two games.
Newcastle fans weren’t seeing that side of his game tonight though and were focused on what he did wrong.
They didn’t get to see much more in the second-half. Diame picked up a knock at the end of the first-half and went off early on in the second-half.
And it went downhill for Newcastle from there, with a mistake from Martin Dubravka and some poor defending gifting Man United a 2-0 win.
Here are the best reactions from the Newcastle fans:
Diame can't pass water or control a ball ffs
— daren mulvihill (@DarenMulvihill) January 2, 2019
5 mins in and diame is at it already hahaha fuck off man will you and everyone who thinks he is any good get your head examined #NUFC #ashleyoutandtakedaimewithyou
— dave armstrong (@1davearmstrong) January 2, 2019
Diame would be a good footballer if passing wasn’t a thing #NUFC
— Phil (@Seubz) January 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/steNconnolly/status/1080556702909517827
Diame has, apart from a period last season, been normal! He may tackle and track back but his first touch and distribution are shocking. My mate @jagillis11 has a better first touch. #NEWMUN
— Marc Colin Witham (@WithamMarco) January 2, 2019
@NUFC_Index Has Diame passed to one of his own teammates yet?
— Steve McKenna (@SteveMcKenna_) January 2, 2019
We just can't pass or keep hold of the ball. Diame is a big bloke he should be in Pogbas face. What the hell do this lot do in training, this is hard work.
— Nige Smith (@toastofworcesta) January 2, 2019
?? haven’t heard that word in years, but nail on the head! Just don’t know what his best attribute is, Diame can’t pass but is a beast and puts tackles in everywhere, Hayden doesn’t do either
— Ruairi Doran (@dorney4) January 2, 2019