Player Ratings vs Newcastle

De Gea 6: Understandably shaky considering he’s been doing the hokey cokey with Anders Lindegaard. Saw the best and worst of him when it came to scrambling Papiss Cisse’s header off the line, rescuing himself and the team after failing to claim the cross that lead to the chance in the first place.

Rafael 7: Despite some early trouble managed to keep Hatem Ben Arfa quiet as a church mouse, read the Frenchman well and was a step ahead to neutralise the threat he posed.

Patrice Evra 8: Best performance in a long time. Saw a header saved last week against Spurs but made no mistake burying one today to double United’s lead. Defended well against Santon, got forward to aid attacks too. More of this please.

Jonny Evans 8: Opened United’s scoring with a powerful header early on and was largely comfortable. Surged forward late on and showed good feet in setting up Danny Welbeck early on too.

Rio Ferdinand 7: After last weekend’s horror show, Ferdinand coasted through this one and answered most questions posed to him resoundingly. Impressively closed the door in Ben Arfa’s face at one point in the second half then prevented a corner, instead putting the ball out for a throw in.

Michael Carrick 7: Will never get the praise he deserves but went about this game quietly but impressively. Fears that he would be out done by Newcastle’s midfield proved unfounded as he calmly controlled the game.

Tom Cleverley 8: Energetic and always looking to get onto the ball, Cleverley ran Newcastle ragged. His goal will be debated with both Pardew and Sir Alex saying they thought it was a cross, but if he says he meant it, who can argue?

Shinji Kagawa 6: Another quiet game from the Japanese international, disappointing as it was one many had hoped he would be able to showcase his full arsenal. Hopefully he gets back to his early season form soon.

Danny Welbeck 6: It was said he needs to be more clinical in front of goal but wasted two massive chances early on, tamely shooting at Harper and then missing an open goal whilst slightly off balance. His work rate, work outside the box and defensive side of the game is always top notch but as a striker he will inevitably be judged on what he does inside the box, and today he was poor.

Wayne Rooney 9: Carried on his excellent showing against Spurs here today with a brilliant performance. Quality going forward and defensively reliable, Rooney shone in a deeper role and almost added his name to the scoresheet with a well saved freekick. Amzaing to think some felt we didn’t need him.

Robin Van Persie 7: A quiet afternoon for the Dutchman who didn’t see enough of the ball in the areas he would have liked. Set piece magic helped give United the lead when he said he would like to create more goals, so can’t complain!

Subs:

Valencia 6: Energetic return from the winger, will get better after missing a few games.

Scholes N/A: Just enough time to get a customary yellow card.

Giggs N/A: Not enough time to do anything.