Paul Pogba shone on his return from a two-month layoff to help Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After Dwight Gayle had given the visitors a surprise lead, Pogba produced a goal and assist to help the Red Devils turn things around by the 54th minute.
Romelu Lukaku then got on the scoresheet to end his seven-game barren run for the Red Devils as they romped to a victory which takes them back to second in the table.
United had not conceded a league goal at home all season before Gayle turned in a cross from DeAndre Yedlin on 14 minutes after a slip from Victor Lindelof.
Summer signing Jacob Murphy almost doubled Newcastle’s advantage when he shot across David de Gea but narrowly wide following Jonjo Shelvey’s through pass.
Lukaku scored three times for Belgian over the international break but it appeared as though his United drought may continue when he missed the second of two good first-half chances by heading over from Lindelof’s cross.
United’s delivery into the box was outstanding all game, and it was Pogba’s chip onto the head of Anthony Martial which helped United draw level on 37 minutes, with the Frenchman leaping above Yedlin and finding the bottom corner.
Ashley Young outdid the Frenchman with an even better cross in stoppage time, picking out Chris Smalling with his weaker left foot for the United defender to power a header past Rob Elliot, having stayed upfield following a corner.
Newcastle were unlucky to be behind at half time and could have been level had Isaac Hayden not shot straight at De Gea after working a good chance for himself inside the penalty area.
Pogba made the Magpies midfielder pay by tapping home from close range after being teed up by Marcus Rashford’s delicate cushioned header shortly into the second half.
United were electric going forward in the second half and the icing on the cake for Jose Mourinho was a much-needed goal for Lukaku on 70 minutes.
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