Match Review
Manchester United 2 v 0 Newcastle, Old Trafford, 1st October 2006
Goals: Manchester United - Solskjaer (41), (49).
Attendance: 75,664

In easily United's best performance of the season Newcastle were dispatched with embarrassing ease at Old Trafford yesterday. The only blemish being the 2-0 score line when six would have been a better reflection of the afternoon's proceedings. Once again Cristiano Ronaldo was the star man as he tore the shirtless Geordies apart, making a fool of Stephen Carr in the process and hitting the woodwork on three occasions. But Wayne Rooney failed to find his form, looking heavy legged and downtrodden in comparison to his teammates.

The Geordies started the match as they ended it, with all 11 men behind the ball defending for their lives. So poor were they that they didn't get a shot on target until the 75th minute. If their intention was to stifle United and play out a scoreless draw their plan was successful for 40 minutes as United continued knocking on the door with no answer forthcoming. But they were hopelessly outclassed and the bore-draw the Geordies had hoped for was never on the cards as United attacked from the off.

It was Darren Fletcher who nearly struck first. A neatly worked counter attack between Ronaldo and Michael Carrick released the Scot down the right only for his well struck shot to rebound off Harper's post from 20 yards out. The move and finish deserved a better result. While the Scot was having his best game in a United shirt for some time Ronaldo was busy wasting free-kicks, planting them into the K stand with aplomb. Better was to come.

Carrick and Paul Scholes had such total control of the centre of midfield that United looked a completely different outfit to the one that stumbled to victory at Estadio da Luz last Tuesday. It certainly helped that John O'Shea was omitted from the starting XI, with United's passing crisper and more accurate as a result.

Yet the chances United created - mostly through Ronaldo - were failing to find their target. Despite the winger's efforts Newcastle were defending resolutely at the back, keeping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and fellow strike partner Rooney at bay. Despite this Nemanja Vidic nearly struck with a thumping header from Ronaldo's corner and then Rio Ferdinand was denied when his shot hit Stephen Taylor.

Then came the breakthrough - Ronaldo dancing across the penalty area from left to right and placing a low shot into the corner. The shot hit the post for the - as always - expertly positioned Norwegian to stab home from six yards. It was the least United deserved.

The Reds were even better after the break, toying with Newcastle as they hit the woodwork twice more. It wasn't long before the lead was doubled through Solskjaer once more. Vidic's half volley on the edge of the box hit the Norwegian on the knee and looped into the net.

Newcastle finally reacted by withdrawing the returning Nick Butt and deploying a second striker but it was to little effect. Finally the Geordies had a shot on target - Peter Rammage's looping shot from more than 30 yards. It was almost too easy for van der Sar though.

United kept creating chances. Ronaldo skipped down the left before striking the base of the post and later thundering an effort off the bar from just yards out when it was easier to score.

Rooney though was subdued once again - his miserable afternoon summed up in the closing moments when he dragged a shot wide when the player of old would have struck home. He then turned down the chance to take a free kick on the edge of the box, instead standing with hands on knees looking utterly knackered.

Rant Ratings
(4-4-2): van der Sar (6); Neville (7), Ferdinand (7), Vidic (7), Heinze (7); Fletcher (8), Ronaldo (9), Carrick (8), Scholes (8), Rooney (6); Solskjaer (7)

Subs Used: Evra (6) for Heinze (31 mins)

Subs not used: Kusczak, Brown, O'Shea, Saha.

United's Man of the Match
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in the right place at the right time - twice - for his first Premiership goals at Old Trafford in three years. But once again the MOTM award goes to Ronaldo who simply unstoppable against Newcastle. Stephen Carr will sleep well tonight knowing that he won't have to play the Portuguese winger until next year!.

Rants Reaction
It's really very simple isn't it... 4-5-1 in midweek and nobody knew what they were doing. 4-4-2 on Sunday and United's passing was suddenly slick, the movement constant and attacking threat multiplied. Even Darren Fletcher was outstanding on the day. Darren Fletcher!!! Can we play like this every week. Please?!

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
No! We said 3-0 and it was only two. Really it should have been six.

Milestones
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 86th and 87th Premiership goals for United - his 117th and 118th goals overall for the club

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Saturday 14th October 2006 against Wigan in the Premiership at JJB Stadium with a 12:45 kick off.