Manchester United vs Newcastle United Summary

Manchester United outshone Newcastle in the second half as they won 4-1 at Old Trafford. The first half started well but Newcastle’s deep line made it difficult for United to create clear-cut chances. With just a minute to go in the first half, United found the lead. Greenwood was fed by Pogba and his shot was deflected and spilled by Woodman but who was waiting for the tap-in? Ronaldo of course!

The second half started in the worst possible way for United as Newcastle’s counter attack caused problems and some great play from Newcastle and calamitous defending from United and Manquillo equalised for Newcastle. United reacted well and got back into the lead on the break. Shaw fed Ronaldo and a powerful left footed shot squirmed under the keeper for 2-1. Fernandes scored a stunner with 80 minutes on the clock and Lingard scored a wonderfully worked goal late on. Both of which, Pogba assisted.

United will remain top of the table provided Liverpool don’t win by four goals or more. An almost perfect result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team and what a return for Ronaldo. Plenty of positives to take from the match but once again the midfield was bypassed quite easily at times with Almiron and Saint-Maximin driving through at ease at times. United now turn to the Champions League and their Tuesday night match against Young Boys and will want to get off to the best possible start.

Manchester United vs Newcastle United Player Ratings

Newcastle

Freddie Woodman 5/10

Javier Manquillo 7/10

Isaac Hayden 5/10

Jamaal Lascelles 6.5/10

Ciaran Clark 6.5/10

Matt Ritchie 7/10

Sean Longstaff 5/10

Joe Willock 6/10

Miguel Almiron 7/10

Allan Saint-Maximin 8/10

Joelinton 6/10

Subs

Jacob Murphy 5/10

Jamaal Lewis 5/10

Jeff Hendrick 6/10

Steve Bruce 6/10

Manchester United

David de Gea 6.5/10

Comfortable game. Great kick out for the third goal. No chance for the goal.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7/10

Put in a couple of decent crosses and defensively was solid for the most-part. There were a couple of moments with Saint-Maximin where he struggled but mostly had a hold on his side.

Raphael Varane 8/10

Rolls-Royce player. Looked so smooth and comfortable out there. One slight error which was down to back luck more than anything else.

Harry Maguire 7/10

Played out well and for most of the game he was composed and solid. He slid in poorly in the build-up for the Newcastle goal but that was the only mistake he made.

Luke Shaw 7/10

Great assist to Ronaldo and put in some excellent crosses, especially from set-pieces. He did get caught out at times, especially when further up the field, something to think about on the training ground.

Nemanja Matic 7/10

In the first half he was excellent. The passes he made were like prime Carrick! His lack of pace did mean on the break, Newcastle caused a lot of problems but he made up for it with a crucial impact in getting the play flowing quickly.

Paul Pogba 9/10

Another magnificent performance. Involved in all four goals including two more assists. Fantastic!

Bruno Fernandes 7/10

Created some great chances and finished the game with a wonderful goal. Gave the ball away cheaply at points though but nothing too problematic.

Mason Greenwood 7/10

Drove at Newcastle defence and created the first goal from his deflected shot. Played with drive and energy and with Cavani injured he may get to play through the middle in rotation but I expect most of his matches this season will be down the right.

Jadon Sancho 6.5/10

Lively at times and linked up well down the left with Shaw and Bruno. Didn’t quite get it right yesterday but that will come with time.

Cristiano Ronaldo 9/10

What a return! Ronaldo’s movement throughout the game was astounding and it’s how he got United into the lead twice. I don’t doubt he will score goals and lots of them, his mentality should also bring United up and raise the players around him.

Subs

Jesse Lingard 8/10

Made a big difference when he came on. His energy and drive pushed the team up the pitch and he took his goal very well. It will be interesting to see how much of a role he has this season.

Donny van de Beek 6.5/10

Nice linkup at times and involved in the fourth goal. Ole may choose to rest Bruno or Pogba for the first Champions League game in Switzerland and it would be a great chance for Donny to shine.

Anthony Martial 6.5/10

Lively when he came on and did a great dummy in the build up for the fourth goal. He could start on Tuesday on the left and it would be a big chance for him to shine.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 8/10

Extra credit to Ole for building this super team. He set this team up to dominate possession, knowing Steve Bruce would have his team drop deep. He was able to rest some crucial players and give some minutes to Donny, Martial and Lingard of which all three were involved in the fourth goal.

Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo