MANCHESTER UNITED 4 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1

Premier League | 18 November 2017 | Old Trafford | Attendance: 75,035 | Scorers: Martial 37, Smalling 45+1, Pogba 54, Lukaku 70; Gayle 14.
The returning Paul Pogba inspired Manchester United with a goal and an assist as the Reds came from behind to beat Newcastle United 4-1 under the bright lights of Old Trafford.

Pre-match, manager Jose Mourinho admitted his side had missed the influence of his big stars and Pogba, who had been absent since the opening UEFA Champions League Group A match against Basel on 12 September, played a pivotal role throughout. He first set up Anthony Martial's leveller after the Reds fell behind early to a Dwight Gayle strike. Chris Smalling turned it around seconds before half time heading in Ashley Young's cross before Pogba put the game to bed with a second half tap in. Romelu Lukaku then grabbed his first Reds goal in eight games late on, smashing in the fourth, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his long-waited return to action late on to the delight of the Old Trafford crowd.
As well as Pogba and Ibrahimovic, Mourinho had the luxury of recalling Marcos Rojo to the matchday squad after he had recovered from his long term injury and took his place on the Reds' substitutes bench.
The first chance of the game fell to Romelu Lukaku who latched onto Antonio Valencia's low front post cross, but he fired over from 5 yards.
Prior to this one, the Reds were the only side in the five major European leagues yet to concede a top-flight goal at home this season, but that record went by the way side as Newcastle took a shock lead. DeAndre Yedlin beat Ashley Young to the by-line and pulled the ball back for the arriving Gayle who capitalised on a Victor Lindelof slip to fire low past De Gea, via help from the post.
Yedlin nearly doubled Newcastle's lead five minutes later, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. That seemed to wake Mourinho's men up and Lukaku should have levelled the game, but he headed Lindelof's expert long ball over the bar.
United continued to probe and were back on level terms through Martial's seventh of the season. He headed past Rob Elliot at the back post following fantastic skill and cross by that man Pogba.
Lukaku then had a shout for a penalty waved away, but with the next attack, the Reds had turned it around. Young whipped in a dangerous in swinging cross which was met by the towering leap of Smalling who headed in his first goal of the season via the outstretched leg of Elliot.
The Magpies were close to being level seconds later as Isaac Hayden's shot was saved by De Gea before Matt Ritchie's rebound deflected off Gayle and fortunately for United evaded the post.
United started the second half much brighter than they did the first and it didn't take long to put the game to bed as Pogba grabbed a goal his peformance deserved. Lukaku was sent free down the left and he crossed for Rashford who in-turn headed across goal for United's number six to tap home from a yard out.
Lukaku so nearly played in Rashford for the fourth, but his pass was to strong, as the Reds brimmed with confidence. Newcastle did threaten at the other end as Murphy's 35 yard curler was brilliantly tipped over by De Gea.
Pogba, who was given a standing ovation as he left the field on 70 minutes, watched on as his mate Lukaku re-discovered his goalscoring touch for United. The Belgian, fresh from becoming Belgium's all-time record scorer, cut inside, played a neat one-two with Juan Mata, before smashing past Elliot into the roof of the net.
A second standing ovation of the night was given to United's new number 10, Ibrahimovic, who replaced Martial 13 minutes from time. The big Swede's every touch was rejoiced as he looked to pick up where Pogba left off and so nearly got in on the act with an acrobatic bicycle kick, which Elliot tipped wide.
A near perfect night for Mourinho, which means United are now unbeaten in 37 consecutive fixtures at Old Trafford, but it's the returning Pogba who will grab the headlines.
THE LINE-UPSUnited: De Gea; Valencia (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Young; Matic, Pogba (Fellaini 70), Mata (Herrera 83), Rashford, Martial (Ibrahimovic 77), Lukaku.
Subs not used: Romero, Rojo, Shaw, Lingard.
Booked: Smalling.
Newcastle: Elliot, Yedlin, Lejeune, Clark, Manquillo, Ritchie (Aarons 66), Hayden, Shelvey (c), Murphy, Gayle (Diame 77), Joselu (Mitrovic 72).
Subs not used: Darlow, Gamez, Mbemba, Perez.
Booked: Hayden.
TALKING POINTS
#POGBACK WITH A BANG Pogba picked up where he left off prior to his unlucky injury lay off scoring on his return as well as setting up Martial's leveller with an expert cross. Aside from the key influences on the scoreline, Pogba dominated the midfield showcasing his array of passing and added the energy missed in recent weeks. He was quite rightly given a standing ovation as he departed on 70 minutes.
UNITED'S NEW NUMBER 10 Pogba wasn't the only big name to return to the United team as Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on to replace Martial on 77 minutes to a raving reception. His every touch was cheered as United's new number 10 sat in behind Lukaku and Rashford and looked to influence the game at every opportunity. A great sight to see the big man back!
WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED? The Reds turn their attention back to the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as they travel to Switzerland to face FC Basel (kick off 19:45 GMT). United will secure qualification through to the knockout stages with a just a point.