Manchester United vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
Follow all the action live from Old Trafford where all eyes are on the return of Cristiano Ronaldo
Follow all the action live as Manchester United host Newcastle in the Premier League this afternoon, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to make his return.
After sealing his sensational return to Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Ronaldo will make his second debut for the club, although the head coach refused to state whether the Portuguese would make the starting line-up. “He’s had a good week with us [training] here and he will definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure,” Solskjaer said.
United took seven points from their opening three matches, thrashing Leeds before being held by Southampton and narrowly defeating Wolves. Jadon Sancho is also in line to feature, having overcome a knock sustained while on international duty with England.
Spirits are far less optimistic at Newcastle, where fans have once again begun to vent their frustration at Steve Bruce, with the Magpies taking just one point from their first three matches. Joe Willock was the only major arrival in the summer window and the club seems destined for another nervous season in limbo. Here is everything you need to know:
Stepovers and shot from Ronaldo
11’ - That’s much better.
Ronaldo picks up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, drives alongside the left-hand side of the box with two stepovers and slams a shot towards goal which hits the side-netting at the near-post.
Newcastle defenders looked terrified, there.
Ronaldo struggling with control
10’ - A cross drops towards Ronaldo at the far post but the angle is tight and the Portuguese wildly swings his right-foot at the ball, dragging it wide of the near post.
The Portuguese forward has struggled with his touch whenever he been involved so far.
Fernandes has first chance of the game
7’ - Paul Pogba lifts a lovely pass over the Newcastle defence and into the path of Bruno Fernandes who, despite timing his run well, can’t bring the ball down with his head and Freddie Woodman in the Newcastle goal is able to smother it.
United aiming for Ronaldo early doors
3’ - The only real decent piece of play so far has been an accurate through ball forward from Bruno Fernandes towards compatriot Ronaldo, but he couldn’t quite get the ball under control.
A few moments earlier, Aaron Wan-Bissaka looked for the number seven with a cross which again he failed to make anything of.
Match report: Crystal Palace beat Tottenham
Palace picked up three points with the win over Spurs in the early Premier League kick-off:
Edouard’s dream debut double caps Palace’s win over 10-man Tottenham
Palace 3-0 Tottenham: Zaha from the spot and a late Edouard double earns deserved win after Tanganga is sent-off for Spurs
Enormous reception for Ronaldo
Harry Maguire leads Manchester United out onto the pitch and the Manchester United fans are giving Cristiano Ronaldo a huge ovation, singing his name and Sir Alex Ferguson smiles down from the stands.
Less than ten minutes until kick-off at Old Trafford
We have just a few short minutes to wait until Manchester United and Newcastle are out on the pitch and ready for kick-off.
The huge story here is, of course, Cristiano Ronald’s return and he starts up-front for the Red Devils.
Here’s a quick reminder of both starting elevens:
Man United: De Gea; Wan Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
Newcastle: Woodman; Manquillo, Hayden, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie; Willock, Longstaff, Almiron; Joleinton, Saint-Maximin.
Édouard reacts to stunning debut
Odsonne Édouard has also been talking to Des Kelly about his impact towards the end of the game.
The Frenchman came off the bench and scored with two smart finishes to round-off slick team moves, and the home crowd went wild for their new hero.
“I’m very happy for my debut. It’s a dream debut for me. I have worked very hard for this moment.
Zaha reveals penalty practice
Wilfried Zaha is talking to BT Sport at full-time.
“That felt special”, he said. We’ve been working on trying to play good football and we showed that today. I’ve been practicing [penalties] and I’m glad to score.”
On his battle with Tanganga, he added: “I’ve seen him play before. He’s strong and fast. But I enjoy battles.”
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