Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle: The action as it happened

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A pretty one way game ends with a definite one way score - Manchester United run out easy winners

Chris Foy blows for full time dead on the three minutes of injury time

Three minutes of injury time

Seconds later Valencia's cross is met by Berbatov but Perch clears the danger - Man Utd are relentless here

Giggs attempts a cheeky through ball to Hernandez but Harper is off his line quickly to clear up the danger

A speculative 25-yard effort from Xisco barely troubles Van Der Sar - quiet night at the office for him

The ball esapes him and it is a goal kick to Newcastle

Not the case down the other end as Scholes finds Berbatov in space and he is able to knock the ball to Valencia on the byline

Even when a lofty clearance from Harper gets Newcastle possession in the Man Utd end there are too many red shirts around to create an opening

Man Utd are still trying - a cross from the right from Valencia forces Harper to come and catch

In the aftermath of the goal Evra has skulked off the pitch to be replaced by Rafael

Game over - thankyou and goodnight

After a steady line of passes along the edges of the Newcastle box that man Scholes pulls the strings again and knocks a simple pass into the feet of Ryan Giggs on the edge of the six yard box who calmly passes it across Harper's body and into the net

Evra is back on his feet and waiting to resume play

I;m not sure if he has injured his knee or just took a knock off the advertising hoardings but he is getting treatment while play continues

Ooh - lokos like there could be a serious injury to Evra here - him and Perch both chased a ball to the touchline which ended up in the Frenchman tumbling over the byline and into the hoardings

Berbatov is still keen to grab more goals and his hard work in the box almost pays off as he hassles the Newcastle defenders dallying on the ball and forces a save from Harper

Newcastle sub- Gutierrez is being replaced by Xisco - I guess there will be no Spiderman mask tonight - don't worry, the game against Villa at the weekend is another opportunity

It looks like Manchester United are happy to play the patient game with the ball slowly counting down the clock and conserving energy

Twelve minutes plus injury time remain and as the clock ticks it looks increasingly unlikely that Newcastle can salvage anything from this game

It is taken short to Fletcher who lofts the ball to the back post where Harper is able to mop up the danger

Valencia is tackled and it is turned behind for a corner - Jonny Evans comes forward

And needless to say - Man Utd take the ball straight down the other end - probably for another prolonged period of pressure

Newcastle have a free kick in the Man Utd half but Joey Barton's kick doesn't get past the edge of the box before being cleared

It's been a reasonably quiet night for Van Der Sar - despite the continued absence of Ferdinand Evans has been an able replacement once again

Rooney looks frustrated, arms folded, as he sits on the bench

Giggsy continues to be the only man to play in every Premier League season - ever! Legend

The Newcastle captain's armband goes to Alan Smith as they revert to two up top - with twenty minutes left it's not so much a gamble as a necessity if they want something out of this game

Manchester United substitution - Ryan Giggs is on for Nani

Newcastle sub - Shola Ameobi replaces Kevin Nolan for Newcastle

If Man Utd can get Berbatov, Rooney and Hernandez all firing in unison that would be some prospect - could they match Chelsea's goalscoring feats?

It was ambitious and worth a try I suppose - and indicative of his confidence tonight that he tried it

Scholes lofts the ball into Berbatov who attempts a scissor kick - it didn't come close

The corner comes to nothing but that doesn't mean Man Utd are budging - they continue to remain in the Newcastle half

Berbatov wins a corner after picking up the ball in the box - sloppy from Williamson but luckily Coloccini is on hand to clear the ball behind

Surprisingly Man Utd have only had two shots on target - both of them resulting in goals

Probably wise - Nani manages to get a shot through the crowd but it goes wide and the danger is averted

I kind've hope Psycho catches him...anyway Man Utd are still on top but newcastle have realised defending in numbers is the way to keep the score down

Franco Baldini and Stuart Pearce are sat infront - do you reckon he's flicking it?

Mike Ashley is in the stand, looking suspiciously like he is picking his nose, slyly

Valencia breaks dangerously down the right but is shackled by Gutierrez who gets a goal kick

The Newcastle defenders are earning their salary as Coloccini clears from under the feet of Evra to stop another attack but it's not for long

Fergie sees fit to save him and hope he finds form in the next game - who would have thought it - Berbatov being preferred to Rooney!

Fergie sees fit to save him and hope he finds form in the next game - who would have thought it - Berbatov being preferred to Rooney!

Perhaps unsurprisingly Rooney is the guy making way for Hernandez

Man Utd continue to stream forward - attack after attack,

He might have Chicharito on his shirt but tonight he is to be known as Hernandez - it's easier to type

Hernandez is stripped and ready to come on

Evra's cross finds Rooney on the edge of the box but he volleys into an empty net - he's offside - wouldn't you know it!

With half an hour left it looks to be tricky for Newcastle as Man Utd bomb forward in numbers - again

Carroll is judged to be offside and gives both barrels to the linesman - bet he was worried for a minute there - he looked angry!

The Man Utd man gets his name taken after snapping at the heels of Joey Barton - 'it's the 'tache that made me do it' Fletcher protests but Foy's having none of it

Scholes is pulling the strings and Berbatov is looking like the dangerman. Wheres Rooney? I'm not sure

Scholes and Rooney combine to send through Berbatov who slips it under Harper but it edges wide of the post much to the chagrin of the Bulgarian

The warning signs are there for Newcastle. Manchester United are hungry for a second and go close through Berbatov

It is right on the edge of the box but the ref lets it go again - luckily for Newcastle

Man Utd are back knocking the ball around for fun and as they approach the box Scholes breaks and is brought down by Coloccini

He went straight through him studs up but Nolan took it well

Chris Foy is quite happy to let some challenges go tonight - however a late Scholes challenge on Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan will not go unpunished - yellow card

This could be a long night for the Newcastle defence yet - Berbatov looks to be bothering tonight too - which is nice

Manchester United players are beginning to find pockets of space all over the pitch - Evra, Valencia and Nani have all had opportunities to put the ball into the box

Newcastle have been able to get near the Man Utd box a couple of times but the Red devils defence barely look troubled

Berbatov plays a great ball through to Valencia who has the space to cross but it doesn't make it past the first defender - slack!

Normal service is resumed - Man Utd quickly take up their positions in Newcastle's half and begin to look for a third

What do you make of Perch's debut for Newcastle ?

Anyway Man Utd get us back underway - there were no changes at half time

Or where to meet for a crafty ciggie after the game

They might just be discussing dodgy tats

The players are back out on the pitch - Rooney and Berbatov are discussing tactics, possibly

Stay with us right here for all the action in the second half of Manchester United v Newcastle - Monday night football right here with talkSPORT

Mind you 2-0 down at half-time at Old Trafford doesn't exactly fill you with confidence does it...

Newcastle, if they are going to get anything out of this game, need to get the next goal - a 3-0 deficit and it is really looking like troubled times for the Geordies

Don't forget you can get in touch to let us know your views by leaving a comment below

They've dominated that half and left Newcastle on the rack - is there a way for them to get back into this?

Right, I've got my half time cup of tea and I have to say that was a pretty impressive half from Man Utd

Welcome back Newcastle - have you missed us?

The whistle goes and a confident Berbatov strolls off the pitch while a dejected Carroll is left to think about what could have been if he had done better with his free header

Joey Barton wont be having a shave

The two minutes of added time are nearly up - Chris Hughton has some problems to address at half time

Nani runs at the Newcastle defence in the box, tying them in knot but the final ball is poor and straight into the path of a defender who clears

Seriously, if you remember the last time Newcastle came out of their half please remind me because I don't

Wonder what Mancini thinks?

Man Utd seem happy to see out the game until half time now - they are still parked in the Newcastle half and are knocking the ball about for fun

Of course Man Utd will have already seen Chelsea's result against West Brom and will have that in mind -even at this early stage

Sloppy defending by Newcastle who look to have been worn down by Man Utd - as for the Red Devils they look to have the game in their grasp now

Nani plays a ball into the box to the on rushing Evra who puts the ball into the box for Rooney. He can only poke at it but luckily Fletcher is on hand to put the finishing touches from six yards out

Barton wastes a half chance after battling with Patrice Evra - his shot is taken easily by Van Der Sar

Man Utd aren't letting up either - they continue to break thrown in wave after wave of attacks

Berbatov had been looking dangerous in and around the box with his knockdowns being wasted by Rooney - he didn't need asking twice to show him how it was done, mind

This commentary seems to be discussing a constant wave of Man Utd attacks

After scoring against Chelsea last week he now adds another against Newcastle, could he be stepping up his game with the arrival of Hernandez, Bebe et al?

Scholes plays Berbatov through - he's just onside and the Bulgarian calmly slots it across the face of goal and past Steve Harper

Man Utd have set up camp in the Newcastle half and are piling on the pressure

Whoa! No sooner do I say that and Rooney goes through again but he is well marshalled by Coloccini and Williamson and they come out on top for now

However, he hasn't scored since March for a reason and he slams it over the bar - Man Utd are turning up the heat now

They're at it again - this time Valencia puts it to the backpost and onto Berbatov's head who places the ball into Rooney's path

The corner is cleared and there is no danger - Magpies fans breathe a sigh of relief that looked like getting hairy for a second

Scholes sprays an exquisite ball out to the left to Nani who tries to find Berbatov at the back post but Harper knocks it behind for a corner

The ever calm Chris Hughton retakes his seat in the away dugout at Old Trafford

Who is defensive coach at Newcastle? Colin Calderwood?

Schoolboy error from Coloccini - surely you should never pass across your own box with Rooney or Nani around?

Coloccini puts Williamson in big trouble with a sloppy cross across the Newcastle box and the former Pompey man's clearance is straight to Nani but he makes amends with a great tackle

64% - 36% possession in Man U's favour

Nani whips a ball in from the left towards Rooney but Coloccini hoofs it away - no nonsense

They've never replaced the free kicks of Ronaldo

Rooney and his teammates stand over the free kick clearly not happy with Nani's last effort but it is the same again and it is slammed into the wall by Rooney

A big clearance sends it down the other end and Perch is forced to drag down Nani before he speeds away

A Newcastle free kick on the left hand side is swung in high clearly towards Carroll but Van Der Sar claims

Giggsy is spotted warming up on the touchline

Scholes steals the ball in midfield but it is taken straight back by Nolan, the makings of a mini-battle right there

Tons of Toon Army are shirtless and raucous as usual - the Premier League has missed you

David Moyes is in the stands watching looking like he is having the time of his life - as usual

We have the first booking, the moustachioed hatchet man makes Valencia aware of his presence with a scything tackle

Moments later the ball sits up perfectly Carroll to have a dig but Van Der Sar is behind it

Vidic rises to win header against Carroll - no clash of heads, no elbows, definitely disappointing

Half chance for Rooney as his shot is blocked six yards out by Williamson

United throw in on the right flank - taken quickly and it breaks into the box

but he slams it into the wall and the rebound is wasted

Nani stands over the ball - shades of Ronaldo?

Moments later Smith is again involved bringing down Scholes 30 yards out - free kick to United

The ball breaks to O'Shea on the edge of the box but Smith throws his body in the way to block

United are constantly pouring forward but there are numbers back for Newcastle

I wonder if you can get odds on who will come off with more bruises

He got away from Vidic easily - that has the potential to be a great battle tonight

He wont get many of those opportunities tonight - a big miss

Barton swings in an impressive ball which is left to Carroll who puts his free header wide

Joey Barton goes across to take the kick to catcalls from the crowd - must be used to that by now

I'm thinking he will be happy to win that!

Carroll chases a ball to the left corner kicking it into Vidic to win a corner

The goal kick is sent straight up the pitch the Van Der Sar

Rooney and Berbatov combine to great effect carving out a half chance which is eventually fired over the bar by the England striker

Evra is continually high up the field in his usual advanced position

United again in the ascent - everytime they go forward with purpose looking to make an early impact

He has to leave the pitch but he is fine

Play is stopped while Nolan is checked - he went down after a clash of heads with Vidic

He will feel he has a point to prove this season

Rooney's had an energetic start to the game, his usual fiery self willing to chase lost causes and hound defenders

Wayne Routledge breaks with pace and lays off to Carroll

Patrice Evra will be relieved to be back in his club shirt after a torrid summer

Both teams happy to knock the ball about the lush turf of Old Trafford

The early exchanges see touches for both goalkeepers

Debutant James Perch has been thrown in the deep end with this game eh!

Valencia immediately gets the ball on the right wing and attempts a cross, throw in to Newcastle

Former Manchester United man Alan Smith gets us underway

Newcastle to kick us off

Roberto Mancini and Attilio Lombardo are in the stand taking in the game... reckon they're scouting Rooney?

Big night for Andy Carroll tonight in the coveted number nine shirt

Rio Ferdinand takes his place in the stand, still injured, Jonny Evans deputises alongside Vidic of corse

I'm guessing their razors wont be seeing an outing tonight

This is the news that some Newcastle players wont be shaving until they win a Premier League game...

What is everyone saying about Joey Barton's 'tache?

The teams are coming out to a fanfare of noise

Edwin Van Der Sar has his lovely new purple number on!

The teams are in the tunnel ready to come out...here we go!

Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals in 12 Premier League starts against Newcastle United will he be the man to fire them to victory tonight?

I'm dying to abandon my talkSPORT predictor league prediction of 2-1 to Man U in favour of a high scoring game

As we approach kick-off in the season's first Monday night kick-off let us know your predictions

At £40 odd a pop surely buying those shirts is lining the Glazers' pockets? What do you think people - feel free to get involved by leaving a comment below

Looks like there is plenty of green and gold at Old Trafford but plenty of new shirts as well

Hopefully the Spiderman mask will be getting an outing tonight...

Tonight's referee is Chris Foy

Where is the talent on the Man U bench? Are Hernandez and Macheda really ready to fire on all cylinders in the Premier League?

Newcastle United Subs: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Xisco, Ameobi, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier

Manchester United Subs: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Smalling, Carrick, Giggs, Macheda, Hernandez

Apart from Rooney where is the real talent in the Man U team nowadays?

Personally, I don't see Manchester United going close this season...Fergie even said himself earlier it's going to be a battle to hang in that top four

His forfeit for losing to Faye in this weekend's predictions is to wear a Millwall shirt while he reads the sports news but it sounds like he's doing his best to wriggle out of it

The Moose is the subject of a lot of banter in the office at the moment after his atrocious showing on talkSPORT Predictor at the weekend - he's on air having a whinge about it at the moment

talkSPORT Predictor allows you to go head-to-head with over 21 of the station’s ‘football experts’ and prove who has the superior knowledge

but I do think a draw is a huge possibility for Newcastle tonight, it will be closely fought that's for sure

And I've gone for a 2-1 Manchester United victory tonight

I got the Liverpool score spot on yesterday

If you haven’t got involved with talkSPORT Predictor yet it’s not too late – get over to http://predictor.talksport.co.uk/ and get involved now

One surprising piece of news to reach us is that Michael Owen is not even on the bench against his former side

They certainly have enough Premier League experience in their team

I don’t think Newcastle will have any problem staying up this season? Disagree?

Can Newcastle stay up? Do they have enough quality?

Will Manchester United win the title this year or do Chelsea have it in the bag already?

Don’t forget you can get in contact with us and give your views by leaving a comment below

Our man at Old Trafford reports that the ground is filling up nicely already - we're obviously not the only ones anticipating this game with great excitement

Carroll of course is the local lad who has already become a crowd favourite on Tyneside being likened to 'Big Dunc' Ferguson

Chris Hughton's newly promoted team will line up in a very modern 4-2-3-1 formation with Andy Carroll leading the line

Our man at Old Trafford Don McGuinness reports that Manchester United have named Vidic as captain and new signing Javier Hernandez is starting on the bench

Newcastle: Harper, Perch, Collocini, Williamson, Enrique, Smith, Gutierrez, Barton, Routledge, Nolan, Carroll

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov

Anyway the teams are in so without further ado...

We definitely have potential for a cracker tonight - a real classic Premier League game for me

If you're reading this I'm assuming you're not down the pub with your mates either!

Evening all...are you ready for the return of Monday night football?