WAYNE Rooney's stunning second-half volley sparked an inspired Manchester United comeback as they recorded their second win in a week over injury-ravaged Newcastle.
The Magpies looked set to avenge their FA Cup semi-final defeat in Cardiff when Darren Ambrose's excellent finish gave them a half-time lead.
But, after Gabriel Heinze had been stretchered off with a serious-looking ankle injury, Rooney levelled with a stunning 25-yard effort before Wes Brown nodded home only the second goal of his United career to end the hosts' two-match Barclays Premiership losing streak.
The result also keeps United firmly in the race for second place as they trail Arsenal by just one point, although the Gunners have the chance to extend that when they play Tottenham on Monday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was a surprise absentee as Manchester United looked to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Everton, the striker having picked up an ankle injury in training.
With Paul Scholes and Gary Neville suspended, Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes to the team defeated at Goodison Park - including the introduction of Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs.
Newcastle, whose season has lurched from one disaster to another over the past month, were so depleted Graeme Souness was forced to hand 21-year-old Peter Ramage his first senior start.
The visitors were on the offensive first though, although Tim Howard comfortably saved Shola Ameobi's effort.
Constructive
Shay Given raced out of his area to head clear at the other end as Giggs tried to reach Roy Keane's chipped pass forward; then, after Alan Smith had robbed Andy O'Brien, the Newcastle goalkeeper caught a curling 20-yard effort from Giggs who ignored Wayne Rooney's intelligent off-the-ball run.
Newcastle were turning in a more constructive performance than their hapless effort at the Millennium Stadium, and Darren Ambrose drove a half-volley wide after Gabriel Heinze's headed clearance dropped nicely for him on the edge of the area.
Howard had a lucky escape when he dropped Ramage's right-wing cross under pressure from Shearer, Ferdinand again on hand to tidy up.
The goalkeeper's shaky start tuned into a disaster just before the half-hour mark, though, when he drove a weak clearance from Neville's back pass straight at Ambrose 25 yards out.
The Newcastle midfielder wasted no time in driving forward. Although Charles N'Zogbia threatened to take possession from him, Ambrose was having none of it - continuing a burst which took him past Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze, before drilling a superb shot into the corner.
Giggs had a chance to level almost immediately as the Newcastle defence were caught out by a quick free-kick - but the Welshman scuffed a weak effort across goal.
Despite picking up a knock just before the break Rooney reappeared for the second half, which United started brightly with Neville floating a right-wing cross onto Giggs' head only for the Welshman to plant his effort onto the roof of Given's goal.
Howard was aware enough to slide bravely from his goal to deny James Milner after Neville's weak back-pass threatened to provide him with an opportunity in what proved to be a timely intervention as United struck in stunning fashion.
Fortunate
United might have counted themselves slightly fortunate to earn a free-kick when Fortune went over just inside his own half but what followed was simply stunning.
Taking Fortune's short pass, Keane lofted a long ball to the edge of the Newcastle area. Ramage leapt highest but it was the youngster's misfortune that his header dropped to Rooney who unleashed an unbelievable swerving volley which flashed past Given before he had a chance to move.
It took Rooney to 16 for the season and made him the first United player to hit double figures in the league, a damning statement on a campaign which has brought so few goals.
Kleberson replaced Fletcher on the hour but it was Newcastle who were quickly back on the offensive and Shearer nodded Milner's corner just over.
Kleberson wasted an excellent opportunity after Ronaldo had caused problems down the United right, then the Brazilian brought a good save from Given with a rare header.
The benefit was still to come for United though as Giggs sent over a far post corner which Wes Brown met perfectly to nod into the top corner.
It was only the second time the big defender has ever scored but in feelgood factor terms alone, it was a priceless effort.
What is your verdict on the performance? Have your say.
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Thankfully for the inspiration of Roonaldho.
Again lacking in inspiration, drive, creativity and pace - how can this be!
Of course without Scholes, Ruud (would he have got any passes anyhow!?), and CR - for a while at least, we were so lacking in drive and urgency.
What's new?
I hope that the close season meets with the necessary
departure of some and whatever quality we can attract.
One request SAF - GET VAN BOMMEL !!.
Up the Reds
ok performance, but this wot we needed, a result, which we pulled. this just goes to show, we still have the ability to pluck out results when things were`nt goin well. eg Referee decisions in the 1st half, Alan Smith Penalty. so in the end we got a win we needed to boost confidence in the youngsters. Kleberson, shone, as sub, he mad an impact. showed good touches and passess. getting Better. if gets a run in the side, well see the best in him.
WITHOUT RONALDO MU IS SOOOOOOOOO BORING.
GREAT GOAL FROM ROONEY
WHAT A GOAL . who needs gary.
We beat the Geordies again. Does this mean were back to being the 1999 team again like everyone acted like after the FA Cup semifina?
What can you say about Rooneys strike and at last we get a goal from a corner. Rio dont even go forward for corners its embarrasing for you. Fletcher, Fortune, P Neville time to go to middlesbrough or anyone else who'll have you. Players to look at Vicente, Essien (keane looked off the pace), Gattuso the midfield needs shoring up. Does anyone else think Graeme Souness has no idea, really Ameobi on the right wing steven carr central midfield he really has no concept, Newcastle are rubbish and Rooney, Giggs and to a lesser extent Ronaldo were are only hope of breaking them down. Our side at the minute doesnt really reflect our club the players we have are average to good were used to having a solid defense including keeper, 4 world class midfielders and at least 1 world class striker, we need retooling.
Congs to the team. Wayne Rooney is pure class and Ronaldo is great. Sorry for Gabriel. Hope he recovers sooner.
However, this win is useful to the manager to be able to hide the awful display we put out. Watching this game was as distressing as watching the defeat at Everton, for most of the time.
Any average team would have put us to the sword. The attack, save Rooney was non-existent, the midfield confused and the defence under a lot of pressure. And as usual, the goalkeeper was hopeless.
I have read elsewhere that the manger will start early next season and get the team hit the ground running. If he expects this very team to win the premiership and go far in CL next season, then he is the biggest joker.
The team needs rebuilding and, I dare say, right from the manager. I expect next season to be worse than this one if there is no change in the playing staff. A keeper, world class, is a must. Two central midfielders plus a left winger of very high quality must come. You can't do less to challenge; even if you were to start on June 1.
What a stunning strike! Surely, goal of the season, no doubt about it!
Well, Gabriel, get well soon! You need you, buddy!
Scholes and Ruud didn`t play today. I think the club should continue to leave them out. I would be happy to se more of Kleberson. It is time to let someone new to come into the squad. Great result.
Adolf dont under estimate the situation things are far worse than you are making out.Brown two goals in 188 games mind you that is twice as many as Rio.What did you think of Fergies talisman do you think he could get a regular place with West Brom.Giggs uesd all is energy up in the first 10 minutes then strolled the rest of game.Hienze best defender again,Howard ipitomises the song careless hands,Whilst Fergie and Carlos need to get out of this place if its the last thing they ever do.
That was a close shave but i am not happy with our performance.
Rooneys goal apart & a nice little cameo from Kleberson this was a very poor performance. I can't see this team giving Arsenal too many sleepless nights at the moment.
As for next season SAF will definitely still be in charge, we will have no money to spend in the summer, we may scrape enough for a gkeeper maybe Jussi from Bolton nothing better than that. In 12 months time same old story no silverware & everybody a year older & closer to the scrapheap. Not so much "Live the Dream" more like "Fear the Reality"
Again the fans are proven right and SAF wrong: Fletch, midfield, tactics. Kleberson is finally showing signs that he can do the biz but Roy and Giggs playing for another 2 years, it's hard to imagine. The midfield needs new personnel and tactics. Apart from Ron and Roo who is putting in any decent performances? If Kleb starts playing well brilliant, that's one less we have to buy but we desperately need a CM who can play at Roo and Rons level where they make a diifference. SAF's arrogance is going to do more damage if he is not forced to get rid of the dross in midfield: he can lose everything and play even worse than now and he won't lose his job??? Really reassuring! Toon were very very poor and we were 2 players better. The lack of interest from our players is worrying, if they haven't got the hunger than we are going nowhere. I'm off to have a word with the boss and see if it's OK for me to underperform massively and still get that 2000% pay rise I've been after.
Come on, Mark Hughes used to score goals like that every week. Rooney is so over-rated
Well it was a great result and a fantastic goal from Rooney, but the performance was terrible once again. The team looks so flat and without inspiration! What is their problem! Rooney, Ronaldo when he came on and Gabriel were are best players. Get well soon Gab we need you at least you give 100% unlike a few others. I do have to say Kleberson looked good again when he came on. From the last few times he played, i've seen glimpses of the world cup winner he is. We just need to get rid of the dross in the summer. P Nev, Fortune and Miller must go. Also it hurts me to say it but Keane and Giggsy have to go. They are holding them team back and at a club like United that can't happen. We need Essien or Gattuso, perhaps van bommel. Also a class left winger would be good. I also think Rio can go, best defender in the world, hmmm. Who said that, oh yes I forgot his agent. He's good but not that good, he's expendible and if we can get 40 mil for him then get rid. Build the defence round Brown and Gabby, midfield round ronaldo and essien and have Rooney and either Van the man or Smith up with him. But whatever happens there needs to be a change and new inspiration has to come into the team.
Apart from roo's goal, united were poor again, i think the problem lies not in the players we have got though but more in the fact that they don't seem to click with each other and this is down to chopping and changing both the system and the personal, if fergie sticks to 4-4-2 and uses the same players bar injury things will improve, both chelski and the arse have several average players but they have a system and they play together more often and that's how consistency comes about, this "resting" players and picking weaker teams depending on the opposition is bad management. pick your best 11 fergie and play a system that has served you well in the past 4-4-2 and do it soon or you will be going on utd's terms and not your own.
We were very, lucky, a wonder strike from Rooney and a goal from Wes Brown,salvaged an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat,against a Newcastle,low on morale and personel .SAF to me is looking increasingly confused and befuddled.His tactics and team selection, defy logic and conventional wisdom.Resting Ronaldo??What for??As for his love for Fltecher,I give up I simply cannot understand what he contributes to the team, as shown by another absolutely pathetic display yesterday.Kleberson is a million times better and I`m mystified why SAF has refused to give him a run in the side.Anyway I`ll say it again,, get rid of SAF,Fletcher and Rio if he does`nt want to sign,bring in Gus Hiddink, Van Bommel ,Robinsonand another couple of quality players and maybe just maybe, we`ll be able to contest for major honours next season.
TO ALMOST EVERYBODY:
You all probably watch a lot of premier league BUT you speak about foreigner names like: essien, van B...
Did you ever watch a match from the french league?
yes you've seen Essien twice against MU but is that enough to evaluate a player?
Manuel Fernandes from Benfica is better but offcourse you don't have a clue.
Frank you that seem a clever guy, watch him. He is just 18 and dominates totally.
I came to see this game and that was a moment I never forget. Rooneys goal was fantastic. IB4m so happy, Man. United is the live and I will come to Old Trafford very soon.