Edinson Cavani rescued Manchester United as his second-half strike secured a 1-1 English Premier League (EPL) draw at relegation-threatened Newcastle United and spared Ralf Rangnick a first defeat.

At half-time, the Red Devils were labelled “a bunch of whinge bags” by Sky Television pundit Gary Neville.

Saint-Maximin’s seventh-minute strike was a gem, and the French forward missed a sitter at the start of the second half.

Visitors Manchester United, who lost their discipline at times and could easily have had Cristiano Ronaldo sent off, were thankful they had Cavani in the right place in the 71st minute. He tucked home at the second attempt to earn a point.

The lively Saint-Maximin gave Newcastle United a great start, sidestepping Harry Maguire before planting a powerful shot into the right corner.

The fit-again Raphael Varane had been too easily dispossessed by a hungry Sean Longstaff in the build-up.

An air-shot volley from Ronaldo was met with derisive jeers from home supporters before Newcastle United thought they had another goal.

That was when Callum Wilson tucked in after more good work from Saint-Maximin. But the striker was clearly offside. Newcastle United then lost Wilson to a calf injury moments before half-time.

Jadon Sancho and Cavani replaced Fred and Mason Greenwood for the second half. But Newcastle United should have been 2-0 ahead almost instantly. David de Gea thwarted Saint-Maximin from close range after Emil Krafth’s cross from the right found him just four yards out.

Martin Dubravka pushed over Marcus Rashford’s strike from 25 yards. Cavani scuffed a shot wide before Ronaldo was perhaps fortunate to be only booked for a rash swipe at Ryan Fraser.

De Gea denied Fraser and Saint-Maximin as Newcastle United got a second wind, but they gave Cavani another sniff of goal and paid for it.

Diogo Dalot’s cross from the right found Cavani by the penalty kick spot, and after his first shot was blocked, the Uruguayan jabbed a second attempt into the bottom-right corner.

Saint-Maximin limped off late on, but there was almost a late moment to savour for Newcastle United. Jacob Murphy smashed a fine strike against the right post from a tight angle on the left late on, before Miguel Almiron was denied by a spectacular De Gea save.

(NAN)