Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United: 5 talking points as Red Devils breeze past Steve Bruce's men

#3 Lapses in concentration from both sides opens up the fixture

Daniel James is starting to hit form for Manchester United

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

Bruno Fernandes got his well-deserved goal through a penalty for Manchester United

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?

Anthony Martial failed to impact the game at Old Trafford

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.