NEWCASTLE UNITED fans were forced to endure a gloomy trip home from Old Trafford tonight as Manchester United ran riot.
The Magpies went in at the break on level terms but crumbled in the second half as Man United piled on the agony for the Toon Army.
United caretaker boss Nigel Pearson recalled fit again Stephen Carr who started ahead of David Rozehnal while Mark Viduka was relegated to the bench with James Milner back after shaking off an illness.
Former Man United man Alan Smith captained Newcastle as they looked for their first win at Old Trafford since 1972.
The home side though were overwhelming favourites and Newcastle were under the cosh just three minutes in.
However, Wayne Rooney wasted a good chance when he blazed over from 18 yards.
With 11 minutes played Newcastle should have taken the lead when Damien Duff crossed from the right to pick out James Milner but his shot was blocked by Rio Ferdinand when he had time and space.
And the black and whites had another opportunity when Michael Owen won the ball off Michael Carrick before Duff cracked a shot just over with his right foot from long range.
Man U then had two penalty appeals waved away after both Ronaldo and then Ryan Giggs clashed with Steven Taylor and Alan Smith respectively but Newcastle reached the 30 minute mark unscathed.
Newcastle did have the ball in the back of the net at the Stretford End when Carr slipped in Owen but even though he finished well he was ruled offside with TV replays later proving he was level.
In the second half Man U started strongly again but both Rooney and Carlos Tevez were denied by an amazing double block by Taylor.
But Newcastle could do nothing to stop Ronaldo on 50 minutes when the Portuguese star sent a low free-kick beyond Given and into the net after the Man U danger man had won a free-kick following some marginal contact from Smith.
Four minutes later and it was 2-0 when Carlos Tevez lashed home from close range.
In a comical moment Given cleared the ball from a poor Enrique backpass with the ball bouncing off Cacapa and into the path of Giggs who rolled it home for the South American to score.
The Magpies attempted to rally and just before the hour when an N’Zogbia shot was parried by Edwin van der Sar with Owen unable to convert the rebound.
Caretaker gaffer Pearson introduced Viduka with 26 minutes left as the Aussie replaced Milner.
It was all over with 20 minutes left when Man U grabbed number three after Tevez slipped in Ronaldo before he casually controlled and finished inside the box to make it 3-0.
Rio Ferdinand made it 4-0 after Rooney played him in with a neat pass before the England defender slotted home.
With three minutes to go Ronaldo made it five Enrique’s poor clearance fell into the Portugal international’s path before he lashed it past Given.
But the scoring wasn't over for the home side and Tevez sidefooted home an effort in off the bar to complete the rout.
And to add to Newcastle's woes Alan Smith was sent off for arguing with ref Halsey in stoppage time.
MAN UNITED: Van der Sar, Evra (Simpson 67), Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Anderson (Fletcher 72), Rooney, Giggs (Nani 72), Vidic, Carrick, O’Shea, Tevez.
Subs: Park, Kuszczak.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Carr, Enrique, Taylor, Cacapa, Duff, Milner (Viduka 64), N’Zogbia, Butt, Smith, Owen (Rozehnal 83).
Subs: Emre, Harper, LuaLua.
Crowd: 75,965
Ref: Mark Halsey.
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