Newcastle United handed Lisandro Martinez penalty verdict during Man Utd clash

Gary Neville has claimed that Lisandro Martinez was spared a penalty against Newcastle United by grappling with Malick Thiaw. The Magpies were denied a spot-kick midway through the first-half when Fabian Schar's volley was blocked by the arm of the Red Devils' Argentinian defender.

The incident was checked and cleared by the Video Assistant Referee as it was deemed that there was mutual contact between the two respective defenders. It comes after the pair were grappling from a corner routine, which saw them close to the action when Schar received a loose ball on the edge of the United six-yard box.

Eddie Howe's side were trailing at Old Trafford after Patrick Dorgu's first-half opener. However, the visitors grew into the game and heaped pressure on the hosts.

"There is a massive shout," Neville said. "Schar hits it, his arm is up above his head and it's stretched.

"Is it because he's pushing Thiaw? That might just save him.

"He's actually wrestling with the other Newcastle centre-back, his arms are already there.

"If Thiaw anywhere near him that's definitely a penalty. I think the fact he has just had a wrestle with the other centre-back might just save him.

"He is saying the context is because there's another situation whereby he is fighting with another player and his arms are already up there and he's just not got back down."

The visitors ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford on their last visit but struggled to have the same success after a sluggish first-half.

Though, they did apply pressure with Lewis Hall going closest after his venomous volley rattled the bar.

Newcastle have endured a torrid run away from home with just one win in their opening matches.

The Magpies were looking to push their way into the top-half of the Premier League table and back into the Champions League qualification picture.

A defeat would leave Newcastle in 11th, six points off fourth-placed Chelsea and in the bottom half of the table by a point ahead of the latest round of festive fixtures.

On the penultimate day of the year, Burnley play host to the Magpies in a must-win game for both sides with the Clarets sitting in the bottom three.

Turf Moor has been a happy hunting ground for the North East club in recent times, with three wins in their last four, as Newcastle desperately look for a second away league win.