Manchester United marked the returns of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo by beating Newcastle United 4-1 at Old Trafford.
Pogba played 70 minutes and was named man of the match, while Ibrahimovic played the last fifteen minutes. Rojo was an unused substitute but both he and Ibrahimovic returned ahead of schedule, after recovering from similar long-term injuries.
Newcastle opened the scoring when DeAndre Yedlin’s cross was met by Dwight Gayle, who’s shot cannoned in off the post. Victor Lindelof slipped as the ball came across the box. Gayle’s goal was the first scored by an away team at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season.
United equalised when Anthony Martial headed in Paul Pogba’s superb cross. Pogba took on a defender at the edge of the box and chipped the ball into Martial, who directed his header well into the bottom corner.
The Reds then took the lead when Chris Smalling rose highest to meet Ashley Young’s cross at the back post. United went in front just before half time. Then, Paul Pogba got the goal his superb performance deserved early in the second half. Romelu Lukaku whipped a great ball across to Marcus Rashford who expertly nodded the ball to Pogba to tap in.
As Pogba left the pitch to a standing ovation after a great performance, Lukaku added a fourth. The Belgian striker got his goal from close range as Pogba was heading down the tunnel.
Manchester United now face a trip to Switzerland to take on F.C. Basel in the Champions League. Before returning to Premier League action next weekend at Old Trafford against Brighton.
Ben Lyons 