Man Utd 4-1 Newcastle: 5 talking points as Anthony Martial's brace caps comeback win

Manchester United’s magnificent front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood put Newcastle to the sword.

Matty Longstaff had made the breakthrough for the Magpies as he stepped inside Luke Shaw and drilled a low shot past David De Gea.

But the home side were behind for barely seven minutes, however, before Martial fired them level.

Pereira laid off Shaw’s pass into the area and Martial beat Martin Dubravka with a low shot at his near post.

The Slovakia goalkeeper got a hand to the Frenchman’s shot but could not keep the ball out.

Greenwood enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a stunning strike to put Manchester United 2-1 ahead in the 36th minute.

Newcastle gifted possession to Greenwood 30 yards out and the 18-year-old took a few steps forward before unleashing a thunderous left-footed shot which flew over Dubravka and crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Rashford made it 3-1 just before the break when he climbed above his marker to power home a header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s right-wing cross.

Another defensive mistake from Newcastle allowed Manchester United to take a 4-1 lead.

Sean Longstaff’s attempted back-pass from near the halfway line was intercepted by Martial and he progressed into the area before prodding a shot over the diving Dubravka – with the Frenchman also hitting the post.

Here are 5 talking points from Old Trafford…

1. United’s inconsistency

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that United were “further behind” in their development than he had hoped this season earlier this week.

“We knew this season was going to be a season of some ups and downs,” he said. “At the moment we’re a little bit further behind than what I was hoping for.”

And added: “This season will be used to find a team and a squad for next season.”

That begs the question, that just how good could United be next season?

After their early blip for the goal, Solskjaer’s men were truly dominant and proved that at their very best, they are still a top four side.

More performances like this in the second half of the season, and the Red Devils could be in the hunt for a Champions League spot next year.

But as any Red Devils fan will tell you, being inconsistently inconsistent is the problem – with this result coming off the back of defeat to Watford and a draw with Everton , which followed victories over Tottenham and Manchester City .

2. ‘Can I play you every week?’

Matty Longstaff has only made four Premier League appearances – two of which have been against United.

On both of those appearances the Paul Scholes look-alike has found the net.

It might not taste quite as good as the debut strike at St James’ Park in October, with United coming from behind to win comfortably on this occasion.

Martial also has a high class scoring record, against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman has played against Newcastle three times at home. How many times has been notched against the Magpies? You’ve guessed it – three.

3. Is Haaland really needed?

Erling Haaland has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in January – but where does he fit in?

Martial and Rashford are lethal when they start together, while Greenwood is having the start to his Red Devils career that is only bettered by Santiago Munez at Newcastle and Roy Race at Melchester United.

That means the front three in Solskjaer’s XI are pretty much filled up for the foreseeable future – with 23 goals between them this season.

Yes, squad depth is clearly needed – with Dan James the only other attacking player which suits the fast and fluid front line.

But would Haaling, a man sought after by pretty much every top European club and manager and has scored 28 times already this season, be happy to sit on the bench of a club fighting desperately to avoid mid-table in the Premier League?

It seems unlikely.

4. Ronaldo-esque Rashford

Watch Rashford’s header for the third goal, admittedly with a squint, and tell me there isn’t a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo in there.

The England international leaped high above Schar to meet Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s impeccable cross to slot it perfectly into the side netting.

To continue the Ronaldo theme, Rashford reached his 60th United goal with the header in 10 appearances fewer and 223 days younger than the Portuguese legend.

Only Wayne Rooney, the Red Devils’ record goal scorer, tops the both of them.

Also, only Timo Werner and Kylian Mbappe have more goals for an under 25-year-old than Rashford in European’s top five league this season.

Basically, United have potentially the most exciting player in a generation.

5. With and without Pogba

However good United’s strike force was, there are still question marks over the midfield.

There was a huge gap between Scott McTominay, Fred and the defenders when Joelinton got in behind, before Matty Longstaff’s goal.

It was hardly convincing at other points, with McTominay admittedly struggling with an injury.

Paul Pogba came on at half time and it is hard to remember a point where he looked rushed or under any pressure – from the moment he rasped a strike just past the post to the final whistle.

United looked a different, much better, side with the Frenchman in it.ne

You just need to keep him fit, and happy…