A Wayne Rooney double and a goal from Robin van Persie helped Manchester United to an emphatic 3-1 win over Newcastle.
Manchester United continued their impressive run of form by easing past Newcastle and Wayne Rooney was the star of the show at Old Trafford.
Rooney’s first-half brace more or less put the game beyond doubt and when Robin van Persie made it 3-0 shortly after the break, Newcastle looked visibly deflated.
The visitors did pull a goal back when Papiss Cisse expertly converted a penalty three minutes from time after Jack Colback was brought down by Phil Jones, but it was much too little, much too late for Alan Pardew’s men.
It was a dominant display from United, who consolidate their position in third and get back to winning ways after a disappointing draw with Aston Villa.
Here are our player ratings for Manchester United’s stars this afternoon.
De Gea – 7.5
Made a fantastic and crucial save to deny Janmaat at 0-0. Otherwise solid enough.
McNair – 7
A very creditable performance, looked confident and calm in centre of back three.
Evans – 8
Not just authoritative at the back but also looked assured coming forward.
Jones – 6.5
Powerful in the air but marred his evening when he clattered Colback to concede the penalty.
Rooney – 9
This was the very best of Wayne Rooney, ever present in everything United created and lethal when the chances fell. Two goals and an assist.
Young – 8.5
Excellent again in a wing-back role, provided some great crosses for Falcao.
Valencia – 7
Not his most memorable game but did his defensive duties well.
Mata – 8.5
A great game, full of life and linking up very well with Rooney suggesting great promise in that partnership for the future.
Carrick – 7
Did some good work, not spectacular but helped create a base for others.
Van Persie – 7.5
Newcastle’s defence hated his movement and he got the goal he deserved.
Falcao – 7
There are two ways of looking at Falcao’s afternoon – on one hand he regularly got into acres of space in dangerous positions, on the other he squandered a potential hat-trick of chances. When the goals start coming they could flow rapidly.
SUBS:
Fletcher (62 minutes) – 6
Made a mistake to let Ayoze Perez in but otherwise good.
Wilson (65 minutes) – 6
Lots of energy, not that much final product.
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