Five star United thrash Magpies

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The Portugal international claimed a double either side of half-time to take his tally for the season to 29, with Wayne Rooney, who had opened the scoring on 25 minutes, adding a brace and substitute Louis Saha scoring against his former club after Abdoulaye Faye had pulled one back.

Kevin Keegan might have thought his players had ridden out the early storm - but with 25 minutes gone and Ronaldo having swapped wings with the tricky Nani, Ronaldo curled an inch-perfect cross to the far post for Rooney to side-foot home.

The fact that the goal came just seconds after Michael Owen had seen penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on him by international team-mate Rio Ferdinand waved away by referee Chris Foy simply rubbed salt into the wound.

After 45 minutes United once again tore their hosts open with lightning pace and bewildering movement.

Ronaldo's scorching run gave the Newcastle defence no chance, but it was Michael Carrick's incisive pass which handed him the chance to slide a shot past the helpless Shay Given, who went off injured at half-time.

After the break United were content to try to hit the home side on the break and they did that to stunning effect on 56 minutes when Ronaldo made the most of Steven Taylor's slip to round substitute Steve Harper and fire home the third goal.

Defender Faye claimed a little consolation 12 minutes from time with a close-range finish.

However, United had the last word when Rooney curled home a superb right-foot shot two minutes later, with Saha setting the seal on a comfortable win in injury time.