Manchester United returned to second place in the Premier League standings following their 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

Newcastle got off to the better start and produced the first opportunity in the 10th minute when Joelinton set up Shelvey, whose first-time strike sailed wide of the target after De Gea’s poor clearance.

De Gea came to his side’s rescue in the 27th minute when he produced a fine save to deny Almiron’s low strike from 25 yards out.

With their first real chance at goal, United managed to find the net three minutes later Marcus Rashford nutmegged Emil Krafth on the left before he chopped back inside the right-back and then reverses his shot low and with venom into the near post.

However, United’s lead only last six minutes as Allan Saint-Maximin levelled matters in the 36th minute when he fired his half-volley into the pass De Gea to find the back of the net following a poor clearance by Maguire.

Fred had a chance put give his side the lead with five minutes left to play when he unleashed a strike from distance, but the United midfielder directed his shot straight into the safe hands of Darlow as the game went into the break locked at 1-1.

The visitors were looking to take an early lead in the second half as Shelvey produced a strike from distance, which sailed wide of the target.

Newcastle nearly found the back of the net in the 50th minute but Saint-Maximin forced a save out of De Gea following Fred’s poor clearance.

United’s patience paid off in the 57th minute when they took the lead for the second time in the game after Matic made his way into the area before laying the ball across to the right. Daniel James, who was left completely unmarked collected the ball before taking a touch and picking his spot to beat Karl Darlow with a fierce strike.

Darlow was again called into action on the hour mark when he got a strong hand on the ball to deny Martial’s powerful strike from a tight angle.

The visitors started to gain momentum after going a goal down as Ryan Fraser forced a great save out of De Gea after some good interplay between him and Krafth.

The home side were then awarded a penalty in the 74th minute after Rashford was brought down by Willock in the area. Fernandes stepped up and made no mistake to slot home from the spot-kick.

United were not resting on their laurels as they went in search of a fourth goal a minute later but Greenwood’s left-footed strike from distance sailed over the target.

United nearly grabbed a fourth goal in the 81st minute when a cross deflected dangerously off of Lewis and looped over Darlow, and just over the crossbar.

Man Utd managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle to walk away with all three points to return to winning ways in the Premier League.