John Gibson: "When you are used to eating at a soup kitchen instead of the Ritz then you’re grateful for small morsels.
The Ritz ... or the soup kitchen?
"Thus a precious point at Swansea to bring some comfort during the international two-week break was received with relief in some quarters.
"Yet the reality is that United have failed to find a solitary victory in seven Premier League matches and are firmly rooted in the bottom three.
"Papiss Cisse must wonder what he’s got to do to win three points for us Geordies.
"Why? Because United cannot defend, a problem as acute as the failure of Cisse’s fellow attackers to score. There is still much work to be done on the training ground during this period of inactivity.
"Fabricio Coloccini was caught square and ball watching on Swansea’s first while Moussa Sissoko, built like a tank, was physically swept aside on the second.
Fabricio Coloccini caught square
"Such has been the failure of United’s new signings to make an immediate impact that Remy Cabella and Manu Riviere were both dropped in South Wales.
"Yoan Gouffran was lucky not to suffer a similar fate but, subbed early, he will surely feel cold steel for the home game with Leicester City.
"He hasn’t scored since Boxing Day last year and even his famed work rate has dipped of late.
"What United lack is a natural No 10. They have played Cabella, Siem du Jong, and Sissoko there without impact. Sissoko was poor on Saturday.
"Cabella, insists former Liverpool skipper Phil Thompson, is another Hatem Ben Arfa in style – a player who loves tricks as much as Paul Daniels – which is ironic given that Pardew has just sorted that problem by getting rid of HBA. Welcome problem No.2?
"Swansea almost found possession and domination too easy. United gave them the ball back whenever they managed to get it and only their spirit, and Cisse, kept them in it. The bottom line is that Newcastle are desperately short of stardust to sprinkle around. So it has to be endeavour.
"They pinched the point rather than played their way to it but then we’re grateful for what we get these days."