United started with a 4-4-2, still no Ferdinand as Johnny Evans took on the responsibility of center-back. Sir Alex would also try playing with two strikers as opposed to a lone striker.

In the 8^th minute Rooney was looking to curl it in from the corner of the eighteen, but the effort was well wide of the target. But I was more upset with Berbatov, because as Roonys missed Berbatov managed to sneak into the back, and as Rooney’s shot went well wide Berbatov threw his hands up in disappointment.

Berbatov and players like him need to know their place. He needs to respect Rooney and his efforts; because I guarantee you Berbatov would have blown the chance if Rooney had placed that ball on his head.

After 25 minutes Manchester United were struggling to get anything offensively. Given, it’s tough to do be creative when the other team is playing with 11 defenders.

It was Valencia’s work rate that led to Uniteds first goal as he stripped Gutierrez got the ball back to O’Shea who fed Scholes first time and it was Scholes that fed Berbatov to set up the Bulgarian with a one v one that the Bulgarian surprisingly finished, beating Harper on his far post in the 33^rd minute

Nani nearly coast United a goal in the 38^th minute by trying to play cute just inside his own 18. I’m sure Vidic let him know it was a stupid move.

In the 42^nd minute United would get a second as Nani and Evra worked the left hand side. Nani would split two Newcastle defenders to find Evra, who blasted it into the middle figuring someone would find it, and Fletcher did. Letting it go across his body with his back to goal before finishing with a half turn shot.

For the remainder of the half it looked like all United was trying to do was feed Rooney for a goal. The English striker looks like he needs a confidence boost at the moment.

Its 2-0 Manchester United at the end of the first half.

No Changes in the second half

Good chance by Manchester United in the 53^rd minute, Rooney unselfishly looking for Berbatov but it was read by the defender and cleared out

One minute later Rooney would put in a brilliant one touch flick into Berbatov, the pass couldn’t have been better, it lands 15 yards in front of goal, just Berbatov and Harper, with every advantage to the Bulgarian, and he puts it wide. Why would he try to use the outside of his foot in that situation?

Unfortunately I feel his goal earlier was just a fluke and this is the Berbatov we will continue to see through out the season.

Javier Hernandez would be introduced in the 63^rd minute coming on for Wayne Rooney who has not scored in 13 games now for club and country.

Rooney has been struggling lately, hasn’t fully recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Bayern Munich in last seasons Champions League.

Giggs came on for Nani in the 71^st minute. 36 year old, Giggs continues to add to his already impressive records. Including “Most appearances by a Manchester United Player”

Again Berbatov would be fed a brilliant ball by Scholes, and again Berbatov would miss an opportunity to put United 3 up. Berbatov should be used as a sub, not a starter. He doesn’t have the pace to play 90 minutes and he loses too many chances.

Evra was taken down in the 83^rd minute and would have to be subbed off. But it wasn’t the sponsor boards around the field where Evra picked up the knock, it was in the challenge with the Newcastle defender. Evra landed on his knee before rolling into the sponsor boards. Evra would be subbed off for Rafael shortly after.

In the 85^th minute, Ryan Giggs would make it 3-0 as he converts a volley from Scholes, hitting it first time across the face of goal, scoring the most difficult opportunity of the night and adding to his impressive record of being the “Only player to have scored in all 21 Premier League campaigns since its inception”

And it’s all over, welcome back to the premier league Newcastle.

Great performance by Manchester United and the Man of the Match for me is undoubtedly Paul Scholes.

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I have mixed feelings about Owen. I understand he has a proven track record. But he will be 30 this year and his injuries will continue to worsen. He may have great chemistry with Rooney, but I believe he will be used much like Tevez was used last season.

“I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me,” Owen said.

“I agreed without a moment’s thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.”

“I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.”

“I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances.”

Ferguson said: “Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goal scoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish.”

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While Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher  are all set to return to the starting XI, none of which were even on the bench during the Carling Cup Final. Rafael is still out, so John O’Shea appears to be a likely candidate  for the right-back position.

While Newcastle is just two points clear of the relegation zone, and has one of the longest injury list in the EPL with Nicky Butt, Damien Duff, Michael Owen, Habib Beye, Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton and Xisco all out with some kind of knock. Not to mention Kevin Nolan who was banned for his horrendous tackle on Victor Anichebe last week.

United is clearly the better team here but lets hope United don’t sink to Newcastle’s level of play. These games go one of two ways either the better team dominates and wins 3-0 or they sink to the level of the weaker team and get pulled into an all out brawl. Usually the team who dishes out the most pain comes out on top. We don’t need any injuries so lets hope United can outplay Newcastle.

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