It wasn’t long ago that Manchester United were being talked up, somewhat optimistically, as potential outsiders for the Premier League title.

Now, even a top-four finish is looking far from assured for a club up for sale and seeking UEFA Champions League qualification as another attraction for potential buyers.

United’s 2-0 loss at Newcastle on Sunday further intensified the race for the two likely spots behind Arsenal and Manchester City, the Premier League’s runaway top two in Europe’s top competition next season.

Second-half goals by Joe Willock and Callum Wilson gave Newcastle partial revenge for their loss to United in the English League Cup final on February 26 and lifted the Saudi-controlled north-east team into third place, above United on goal difference. Tottenham are a point behind both teams in fifth place ahead of their game at Everton on Monday.

“I do think Newcastle are a very good side, but I don’t think they won the game on quality today,” United defender Luke Shaw said. “I think they won it on passion, hunger, desire, attitude. They clearly had that higher motivation than we had. That can’t be possible.”

“You could say it was coming,” Shaw added. “Before the international break, we dropped levels. It was clear to see today it wasn’t up there.”

For United, it’s just one point — a 0-0 home draw with struggling Southampton — from a possible nine in their last three league games. That’s a worrying drop in form amid a hectic fixture schedule for Erik ten Hag’s team, which is also still involved in the FA Cup and Europa League.

—AP