Skipper Harry Maguire admitted a 16-day Covid-19 break had done Manchester United no favours after they salvaged a 1-1 draw at Premier League strugglers Newcastle.
The Red Devils needed a 71st-minute equaliser from half-time substitute Edinson Cavani to emerge with anything to show for their efforts at St James' Park on Monday night as interim manager Ralf Rangnick was forced to abandon his favoured 4-2-2-2 formation, and were indebted to goalkeeper David De Gea for a series of fine saves.
It was their first outing for 16 days after a coronavirus outbreak which prompted the club to close their Carrington training complex - Victor Lindelof was absent on Tyneside after testing positive - but it was the lowly Magpies, playing for the fourth time in 16 days and depleted by Covid and injuries, who very nearly secured just a second win of the campaign.