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Manchester United rounded off a complete performance to claim a 3-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday. The win takes them back to second place in the Premier League table.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes helped the cause, as the Red Devils returned to winning ways after consecutive league draws.
Allan Saint-Maximin levelled the scoring for the Toons, who have now lost three of their last four matches and are only three points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham.
On that note, here are the major talking points from Manchester United's convincing 3-1 win against Newcastle United.
#1 Sloppy Manchester United escape early Toons scare
Like many top teams that have taken their time to get into their stride early, Manchester United awarded Newcastle United acres of space to attack and exploit them.
A short corner routine orchestrated by the Magpies caught the hosts napping, and Joelinton volleyed a fine effort to test the palms of David de Gea. Manchester United had plenty of possession but were forced to play sidewards, much to their disarray.
De Gea, who made a smart save early on, was guilty of surrendering the ball to Joelinton again a few minutes later. The striker laid it on for Jonjo Shelvey, who skewed his shot high and wide.
The long balls, coupled with a variety of set-piece patterns, caused Manchester United a whole lot of problems.
#2 Sizzling solo effort from Rashford powers Manchester United ahead
Although Newcastle United got their angles right while defending off the ball, their opponents knocked at their door many times through different passages of play.
Bruno Fernandes, in particular, was at the thick of the action from the centre, as he broke into little pockets of space in midfield and applied his quick thinking to bring the forwards into play.
However, it wasn't to happen for Manchester United due to Newcastle United's outstanding positioning and overall shape maintained.
Enter Marcus Rashford. The winger received a pass on the wide left, wriggled through the visitors' backline and kept his composure to slot past Karl Darlow's near post.
#3 Lapses in concentration from both sides opens up the fixture
It only took six minutes for Newcastle United to restore parity, as Allan Saint-Maximin produced a fantastic finish to the roof of the net.
It was coming for the visitors, who piled pressure on Manchester United with a couple of corners. Saint-Maximin got into a stellar position off a corner as well, before eventually meeting a clearance to make it 1-1.
The onus was on Manchester United's midfielders to collectively come out as a pack and close him down. Their passive approach led to the equaliser.
Barring momentary slaloming runs from Saint-Maximin and a few creative sparks from Miguel Almiron, Newcastle were largely unattractive in the second half. They did, however, endure a calamitous moment at the back when a squared pass ended up at Daniel James' feet.
The winger, who is starting to find form, took a stunning touch and lashed it past Darlow.
#4 Manchester United shoot Newcastle's confidence as Bruno Fernandes scores
It was Bruno Fernandes' pass that fortuitously found Daniel James for Manchester United's lead.
The midfielder then took it upon himself to put Newcastle United to bed, dispatching a penalty that was well-earned by Rashford.
It severely shot Newcastle's confidence, as they struggled to match the pace of their opponents. Tired legs late in the game meant that the likes of Fernandes and Rashford had more time to pick their passes.
Newcastle lost their spirit and somehow never found their way back in the outing.
#5 Should Martial return to the left wing role?
Barring one moment where he changed pace and direction before launching a fierce effort to the top of Darlow's goal, Anthony Martial barely had any influence on the game.
The 25-year-old just could not gel in between the midfield and United's wide operations. He was often left isolated, stranded in the middle of a constricted area protected by the Newcastle defenders.
Owing to their physicality and superiority in the air, the Newcastle centre-halves kept Martial at bay.
In that case, should Rashford, who is arguably better at breaking in between lines and finishing off chances, start at the number 9 position with Martial interchanging roles?
That could also help include Mason Greenwood down the right-hand side. United could field Martial on the left for a few minutes and then bring Edinson Cavani on to lead the lines.
