Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United

Sports Desk: Manchester United returned to action after the international break with a thrilling 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

There was plenty to excite fans when the team news was announced before kick-off, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo all returning to the squad following injury, as well as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford starting together in the league for the first time this season.

And though Dwight Gayle gave the away side a shock early lead, the Reds responded well and equalised when Martial headed home his seventh goal of the season in the 37th minute.

It didn’t take long for United to find the net again, as a brilliant cross from Ashley Young was met by a powerful header from Chris Smalling just before half-time. The centre-back’s first goal of the campaign ensured Jose Mourinho's men were brimming with confidence going into the second half.

United's pressure after the interval paid off when a well-worked team move ended with Pogba slotting home to make it 3-1. It was a richly deserved strike for the Frenchman, who dominated the midfield alongside Nemanja Matic and looked like he had never been away.

Romelu Lukaku also got back among the goals by capping a stunning build-up involving Juan Mata, firing an emphatic left-footed effort into the roof of the net from close range.

Ibrahimovic made his long-awaited return when he replaced Martial with 13 minutes left, to the delight of the home crowd. And the Swedish superstar almost made it a fairytale comeback when his trademark scissor-kick went narrowly wide.

Source: Agencies

risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 19, 2017/AI