Was Fellaini the difference maker? (Picture: EPA)Newcastle attacker Matt Ritchie believes the introduction of Marouane Fellaini was the turning point in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. Rafael Benitez’s relegation strugglers had looked good value for the three points when leading 2-0 at half-time, but goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez turned the match on its head in the second half. The win may prove to save Jose Mourinho’s bacon amid reports he was set to be sacked after the match, and Ritchie believes his decision to bring on Fellaini changed the course of the contest. ‘When they brought Fellaini on, it made it hard to put pressure on the ball, we were pegged in and couldn’t get out,’ Ritchie told PLP. Ritchie praised Fellaini (Picture: REUTERS)‘We gave ourselves a chance and we’re disappointed not to have carried it [the performance] out for 90 minutes. ‘We did really well in the first half and could have scored one or two more and there are some positives we need to take from that. ‘Us as players are the only people who can get us out of this. We showed today that we have got some threat, certainly in the first half.’ Ritchie’s manager Benitez was happy with the performance, and agreed with his player that Mourinho’s substitutions changed the game. ‘It was a great game we did really well, had two or three situations on the counter attack,’ he said. Benitez praised Mourinho’s changes (Picture: AFP/Getty)‘When you play against a very good team it’s not easy because every substitution they were better and better. ‘The only thing I said to the players is that they did a great job, we have to manage situations better but to be fair they were pushing and pushing, they have so mnay good players it was difficult. ‘When they have top class players these things can happen. They scored a great goal. ‘You put Fellaini and Alexis on, so many good players on the bench, when they come they made the difference.’ MORE: MANCHESTER UNITED FC Matt Ritchie names the Manchester United star who turned Newcastle match on its headMarouane Fellaini reveals what Mourinho told Man Utd players before comeback vs NewcastleJose Mourinho claims two Man Utd players are 'sad' and 'scared' after Newcastle comeback #ManUtd #MattRitchie #ManchesterUnitedFC
