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LONDON. — Ralf Rangnick questioned the physicality of his players as Manchester United could only manage a draw at Newcastle in the English Premiership football on Monday night.

The German suffered his first dropped points in charge of the Red Devils, who battled to a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.

How Newcastle only got a point against this Manchester United rabble will be a mystery for the ages.

Before the game, the Magpies were seen as relegation fodder in dire need of the Saudi petro-dollars to rescue them in January if they were to avoid the drop.

Then the whistle blew and, against all the odds, Toon battered the Red Devils from pillar to post.

As bad as Man United were — and they really were horrendous — Eddie Howe’s side were exceptional.

So to only come away with a point will have to go down as a massive missed opportunity.

Newcastle acquitted themselves brilliantly and often beat the visitors to the second balls, Old Trafford legend Gary Neville labelling some of the Manchester United players “whinge-bags’’ at half-time.

Rangnick didn’t quite go in on the players like Neville did but suggested there was a problem with the way Manchester United applied themselves physically.

Asked about the performance, Rangnick said: “I didn’t like it at all. As I’ve said we are trying to get better at controlling games and today we didn’t control the game, apart from some moments at all.

“It’s all about energy, physicality and who wins the second balls in the transitional moments. In all those areas we were not at our best today.

“In the end we got a point. That’s the good thing but the performance overall needs to get better . . .

“Today was not a question of body language, it was a question of body — physicality. The body language is not that much of a problem today.

“If we want to be competitive in this ground we have to play physically. We have to get physical. This was not the case in many parts of the game and therefore we were struggling.

“I think our problem was mistakes. We have given the ball away — when in possession too many balls were given away.

“Even in the second half, we equalised and they had two or three players injured but we were not controlling the game. We were making wrong decisions in those moments and that is what it is all about.”

But talkSPORT’s Perry Groves and Jason Cundy believe it was an issue with the way Rangnick set the team up, claiming it was like watching Leeds when they’re playing at their worst. — talkSPORT.