Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero again, scoring twice as Javier Manquillo’s second-half equaliser for Newcastle proved in vain.
The 4-1 win, bolstered by goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard, took Manchester United top of the table at the final whistle.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a dramatic double to help Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Newcastle on his extraordinary Old Trafford return.
The 36-year-old forward, back in United red for the first time since leaving in 2009, opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, much to the joy of an expectant home crowd.
And while former Liverpool player Javier Manquillo scored a fine equaliser on the counter-attack, Ronaldo was not to be denied, restoring the lead in front of the Stretford End.
“It was an unbelievable moment,” said the Portuguese superstar.
He said; “I was nervous and I was thinking last night what I wanted – to play well, to show that I’m still capable to help the team. But it’s unbelievable, I feel so proud and I’m going to give everything to make them proud of me.”
Bruno Fernandes’s stunning strike from distance followed by Jesse Lingard’s late effort sealed the victory that takes United to the top of the Premier League table and – with Ronaldo – dreaming of staying there.
“This is what Man United is about, this is what Cristiano is about and this was a day for everyone to enjoy,” United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added.