Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Greenwood Stars Again

Manchester United started off their busy festive fixture list with a 4-1 Boxing Day win thanks to a Newcastle side in the giving spirit at Old Trafford.

The Magpies started off brightly and were deservedly in front after a quarter of an hour when Matty Longstaff - recalled to the starting XI alongside his brother Sean - scored against Manchester United once again.

That goal seemed to wake up the Red, who were soon level though thanks to an Anthony Martial strike that Martin Dubravka allowed to slip through his fingers.

Newcastle were then made to pay for another error as Mason Greenwood made it two after pouncing on a loose Fabian Schar pass, before Marcus Rashford headed in a third just before half time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were then gifted a fourth just five minutes after the interval, as Anthony Martial profitted from a misplaced Sean Longstaff pass to add his second of the game.

They could have had more as substitute Paul Pogba went close three times on his return to Old Trafford after injury, but they will be happy with the ruthlessness of the victory which saw them move back up into the Premier League top six.

Manchester United

Talking Point

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time at Manchester United may not have been as successful as some fans might have hoped, one thing he has been good at is giving young players a chance.

3 - Mason Greenwood scored as many goals in his first 426 minutes of @premierleague play for @ManUtd as Alexis Sanchez managed in 1923 minutes on the field for the Red Devils in the competition (3). Standards. #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/aHPj8bUEnH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2019

And the latest academy product to benefit from that is 18 year-old Mason Greenwood who is already beginning to establish himself as one of the best finishers at the club.

The England under-21 international has now scored four goals in a fortnight and looks comfortable in the first team.

With Jesse Lingard still unable to find the net this season, you have to wonder how long it is until Greenwood is a regular at Old Trafford.

Player Ratings

Starting Lineup: De Gea (6), Wan-Bissaka (7), Lindelof (6), Maguire (6), Shaw; (6) Fred (7), McTominay (6), Perreira (7); Greenwood (8), Rashford (8), Martial (9)*

SUBSTITUTES: Pogba (7), Lingard (6), Mata (6)

Star Man

With two goals today Anthony Martial took his Premier League goals tally to six in just thirteen appearances.

His record is 11, and if he keeps up the form he's in at the minute then there's no reason why he can't break that record this campaign.

United missed him during his injury layoff, and they look so much better with the Frenchman back in the side.

Newcastle

Talking Point

The most frustrating thing about this game for Newcastle will be that the goals they conceded were almost all entirely their own fault.

Martin Dubravka, Fabian Schar and Sean Longstaff all committed errors that led to Manchester United goals, while many more looked shakey.

With Steve Bruce's defensive style individual errors aren't really an option so it will have really hurt the former United cap to concede so sloppily.

He'll have to hope now that the heavy nature of the defeat won't have too much of an effect on a Newcastle side that had been starting to show some form.

Player Ratings

Starting Lineup: Dubravka (5); Schar (5), Fernandez, (6) Lejeune (6); Manquillo (6), S. Longstaff (5), Almiron (6), M. Longstaff (7)*, Willems (6); Joelinton (6), Gayle (6)

SUBSTITUTES: Atsu (6), Yedlin (6), Krafth (n/a)

Star Man

As far as footballing habits go, scoring goals against Manchester United isn't a bad one to have.

That's the case for Matty Longstaff who scored for the second time in a row against the Red Devils.

While this game didn't quite have the same fairytale ending as last time it'll be a nice memory for the 19 year-old who had a decent game on his return to the side.

Looking Ahead

Manchester United will now travel to Burnley in two days time before going on to play Arsenal at the Emirates on New Years Day.

Newcastle on the other hand will host Carlo Ancelotti's Everton side before welcoming Leicester City to St. James' Park.

Source : 90min