Marcus Rashford celebrates putting Manchester United ahead against Newcastle.
Manchester United collected their first Premier League victory in three games as Bruno Fernandes’ penalty secured a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Following draws with Everton and West Brom, United had fallen 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester City, which was extended further on Sunday when Pep Guardiola’s side won at Arsenal.
Miguel Almiron was a lively presence throughout the opening half hour and the Paraguay midfielder was next to spring De Gea into action with a long-range drive but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side went ahead in the 30th minute through a fine Rashford strike.
Having collected the ball on the left touchline, he nutmegged Emil Krafth and darted towards the box.
The Newcastle right-back recovered to meet him in the area, only for Rashford to cut past him and unleash a thumping low effort past Karl Darlow at his near post.
The hosts continued to struggle from set-pieces, however, and Newcastle exposed that soft underbelly in the 36th minute.
The visitors had just 27 per cent possession in the opening period, but still mustered more shots on target than their opponents – four compared to two – to highlight their greater efficiency. There had been very little initial reaction from the hosts with De Gea alert to smother another Saint-Maximin strike five minutes after the restart.
But Manchester United restored their lead moments after Joelinton was withdrawn as Nemanja Matic’s pass inside was poked by Fernandes into the path of James, who found the near post to notch his fifth goal of the season.
From there, the hosts grew in confidence and their superior quality began to show. Fernandes went close when his flick-on from Luke Shaw’s corner just evaded the far post, but the Portugual midfielder would not be denied his customary goal.
Referee Paul Tierney was well placed to spot a foul by Willock inside the box on Rashford following a lovely drag back inside the on-loan Arsenal midfielder.
Fernandes missed in the reverse fixture from 12 yards at St James’ Park, but he stepped up again for the spot-kick and slotted home low to the left as Darlow fell to the right.
Maguire came close to a late fourth when he rose to meet another Shaw set-piece but Darlow was equal to it as Solskjaer’s side eventually returned to winning ways with relative ease.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport: “We had to up the tempo a little bit, especially in the last third and I felt we managed to do that. It is always difficult to get going after an away game in Europe.
“Even though we dominated possession and had a lot of the ball we couldn’t create many opportunities. I felt in the second half we found our positions better.
“We can’t control any other team, we just have to focus on ourselves and be the best possible Manchester United every game. Things happen and there are many surprises in football.”
Solskjaer said on James’ display: “He never disappeared. He has been working hard behind the scenes and always been available. He is always a player you can use in different areas with his energy and pace.
“We work with him, we try to help everyone but of course Dan came from the Championship, he hit a few goals in the first games and it is bound to take some energy from you. He has knuckled down and really worked to get back to full fitness but maybe more so confidence, to believe in himself.”
