Match report: Manchester United 4 Newcastle United 1
Paul Pogba returned from injury to inspire Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Newcastle, registering a goal and an assist under the bright lights of Old Trafford.
The Frenchman first set up Anthony Martial's leveller after the Reds fell behind early to a Dwight Gayle strike. Chris Smalling turned it around seconds before half-time, heading in Ashley Young's cross, before Pogba tapped home in the second half. Romelu Lukaku then grabbed his first Reds goal in eight games late on, smashing in the fourth of the night, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his long-awaited return to action with 13 minutes to go, much to the delight of the Old Trafford crowd.
Jose Mourinho also had the luxury of recalling Marcos Rojo to the bench as the Argentina international continues his own comeback from a long-term injury.
Before the game, United had been the only side in the five major European leagues yet to concede a top-flight goal at home this season. But that record was ended as Newcastle took a shock lead when DeAndre Yedlin beat Young to the byline and found the arriving Gayle, who capitalised on a Victor Lindelof slip to fire low past David De Gea, via help from the post.
United continued to probe and were back on level terms through Martial's seventh goal of the season; he headed past Rob Elliot at the back post following some fantastic skill and a stand-up cross by that man Pogba.
Lukaku then had a shout for a penalty waved away but, with the next attack, the Reds had turned it around. Young whipped in a dangerous in-swinging cross, which was met by the towering leap of Smalling, who headed in his first goal of the season via the outstretched leg of Elliot.
The Magpies were close to being level seconds later as Isaac Hayden's shot was saved by De Gea, before Matt Ritchie's rebound deflected off Gayle and, fortunately for United, evaded the post.
Jose Mourinho also had the luxury of recalling Marcos Rojo to the bench as the Argentina international continues his own comeback from a long-term injury.
Before the game, United had been the only side in the five major European leagues yet to concede a top-flight goal at home this season. But that record was ended as Newcastle took a shock lead when DeAndre Yedlin beat Young to the byline and found the arriving Gayle, who capitalised on a Victor Lindelof slip to fire low past David De Gea, via help from the post.
United continued to probe and were back on level terms through Martial's seventh goal of the season; he headed past Rob Elliot at the back post following some fantastic skill and a stand-up cross by that man Pogba.
Lukaku then had a shout for a penalty waved away but, with the next attack, the Reds had turned it around. Young whipped in a dangerous in-swinging cross, which was met by the towering leap of Smalling, who headed in his first goal of the season via the outstretched leg of Elliot.
The Magpies were close to being level seconds later as Isaac Hayden's shot was saved by De Gea, before Matt Ritchie's rebound deflected off Gayle and, fortunately for United, evaded the post.
United 4 Newcastle 1
Paul Pogba says"To come back, to play, to see Old Trafford, to see the fans, to score at Old Trafford on my comeback, I feel blessed."
United started the second half brightly and it didn't take long to end the game as a contest, as Pogba grabbed the goal that his performance deserved. Lukaku was sent free down the left and he crossed for Marcus Rashford, who in turn headed across goal for United's no.6 to tap home from a couple of yards out.
Pogba, who was given a standing ovation as he left the field on 70 minutes, watched on as Lukaku re-discovered his goalscoring touch for United. The Belgian, fresh from becoming Belgium's all-time record scorer, cut inside and played a neat one-two with Juan Mata, before smashing past Elliot into the roof of the net.
A second standing ovation of the night was given to United's new no.10, Ibrahimovic, who replaced Martial in the final quarter-hour. The big Swede's every touch was rejoiced as he looked to pick up where Pogba left off and so nearly got in on the act with an acrobatic bicycle kick, which Elliot tipped wide.
It was a near-perfect night for United, who are now unbeaten in 38 consecutive fixtures at Old Trafford.
Pogba, who was given a standing ovation as he left the field on 70 minutes, watched on as Lukaku re-discovered his goalscoring touch for United. The Belgian, fresh from becoming Belgium's all-time record scorer, cut inside and played a neat one-two with Juan Mata, before smashing past Elliot into the roof of the net.
A second standing ovation of the night was given to United's new no.10, Ibrahimovic, who replaced Martial in the final quarter-hour. The big Swede's every touch was rejoiced as he looked to pick up where Pogba left off and so nearly got in on the act with an acrobatic bicycle kick, which Elliot tipped wide.
It was a near-perfect night for United, who are now unbeaten in 38 consecutive fixtures at Old Trafford.
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THE LINE-UPS AND KEY STATS
United: De Gea; Valencia (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Young; Matic, Pogba (Fellaini 70), Mata (Herrera 83), Rashford, Martial (Ibrahimovic 77), Lukaku.
Subs not used: Romero, Rojo, Shaw, Lingard.
Booked: Smalling.
Newcastle: Elliot, Yedlin, Lejeune, Clark, Manquillo, Ritchie (Aarons 66), Hayden, Shelvey (c), Murphy, Gayle (Diame 77), Joselu (Mitrovic 72).
Subs not used: Darlow, Gamez, Mbemba, Perez.
Booked: Hayden.
United: De Gea; Valencia (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Young; Matic, Pogba (Fellaini 70), Mata (Herrera 83), Rashford, Martial (Ibrahimovic 77), Lukaku.
Subs not used: Romero, Rojo, Shaw, Lingard.
Booked: Smalling.
Newcastle: Elliot, Yedlin, Lejeune, Clark, Manquillo, Ritchie (Aarons 66), Hayden, Shelvey (c), Murphy, Gayle (Diame 77), Joselu (Mitrovic 72).
Subs not used: Darlow, Gamez, Mbemba, Perez.
Booked: Hayden.
TALKING POINTS
#POGBACK WITH A BANG
Pogba picked up where he left off before his unlucky injury lay-off, scoring on his return as well as setting up Martial's leveller with an expert cross. Aside from the key influences on the scoreline, Pogba dominated the midfield, showcasing his array of passing, and added the energy missed in recent weeks. He was quite rightly afforded rapturous applause as he departed on 70 minutes.
UNITED'S NEW NO.10
Pogba wasn't the only big name to return to the United team as Ibrahimovic came on to replace Martial. His every touch was cheered as he sat in behind Lukaku and Rashford and looked to influence the game at every opportunity. A great sight to see the big man back!
WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED?
The Reds turn their attention back to the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as they travel to Switzerland to face FC Basel (kick off 19:45 GMT). United will secure qualification through to the knockout stages with a just a point.
#POGBACK WITH A BANG
Pogba picked up where he left off before his unlucky injury lay-off, scoring on his return as well as setting up Martial's leveller with an expert cross. Aside from the key influences on the scoreline, Pogba dominated the midfield, showcasing his array of passing, and added the energy missed in recent weeks. He was quite rightly afforded rapturous applause as he departed on 70 minutes.
UNITED'S NEW NO.10
Pogba wasn't the only big name to return to the United team as Ibrahimovic came on to replace Martial. His every touch was cheered as he sat in behind Lukaku and Rashford and looked to influence the game at every opportunity. A great sight to see the big man back!
WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED?
The Reds turn their attention back to the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as they travel to Switzerland to face FC Basel (kick off 19:45 GMT). United will secure qualification through to the knockout stages with a just a point.
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'Lions don't recover like humans'
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WHAT DID MOURINHO SAY?
PLENTY OF POSITIVES: "The result, the three points, the performance after the Newcastle goal, that mentality to react without panic in a positive way, and obviously the return of injured players is nice – especially in Zlatan’s case; such a dramatic injury, and to see him back is a great emotion. It was a joy for everyone but for all of us that stayed close to such a professional with one of the biggest injuries in football, it was more than that; it was a big emotion to see that for the big guy."
POGBA WAS DIFFERENT CLASS: "He looked like he wasn't out for such a long time without playing football. At the beginning of the season we had Paul and Matic growing up together and being like the engine of the team. We lost a little bit of that; other players are good players but they have different qualities, so [it] was good. I left it in Paul’s hands how many minutes to play until he had just the first feeling of fatigue, so we made that decision at a good time and I think it was a great performance by him."
PLENTY OF POSITIVES: "The result, the three points, the performance after the Newcastle goal, that mentality to react without panic in a positive way, and obviously the return of injured players is nice – especially in Zlatan’s case; such a dramatic injury, and to see him back is a great emotion. It was a joy for everyone but for all of us that stayed close to such a professional with one of the biggest injuries in football, it was more than that; it was a big emotion to see that for the big guy."
POGBA WAS DIFFERENT CLASS: "He looked like he wasn't out for such a long time without playing football. At the beginning of the season we had Paul and Matic growing up together and being like the engine of the team. We lost a little bit of that; other players are good players but they have different qualities, so [it] was good. I left it in Paul’s hands how many minutes to play until he had just the first feeling of fatigue, so we made that decision at a good time and I think it was a great performance by him."
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