Manchester United – Newcastle United

1. Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a surprise absentee as Manchester United bid to bounce back from a run of five games without a victory. The Dutch striker picked up an ankle injury in training yesterday.

2. 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.

3. Graeme Souness has been forced to hand 21-year-old Peter Ramage his first senior start, with former Old Trafford favourite Nicky Butt missing with a calf injury.

4. We're off. Newcastle kick off and immediately give the ball away. They really have struggled for players today; they are missing 10 first-team regulars.

5. 1'

   Good play from Neville, breaking through the middle, but his ball towards Giggs is too hard and Given allows it to run out of play. Newcastle seem content to pack the midfield and try to frustrate the home side.

6. 2'

   Smith attempts to hold off O'Brien on the edge of the area, and the Newcastle man is perhaps lucky not to give away a free-kick as he pulls the United man down.

7. 3'

   The first shot of the game comes from Ameobi, a side-foot effort from the edge of the area, hit straight at Howard.

8. 4'

   Rooney flicks the ball over the top for Keane. The United skipper doesn't spot Giggs unmarked in the middle, and cuts the ball back to Smith. United win a corner, though it comes to nothing.

9. 5'

   Stephen Carr is playing in an unfamiliar holding midfield role this afternoon to accomodate the young debutant Ramage, playing at right-back.

10. 6'

    Keane lofts the ball over the top of the Newcastle back-line towards Giggs, who had cut in from the left. Given is quick off his line to head the ball out of play.

11. 7'

    N'Zogbia is strongly in on Rooney on the half-way line. Neville lofts the free-kick in to the area, where Boumsong puts the ball out of play for a second United corner.

12. 7'

    It's a better United corner, but Newcastle clear their lines well. Smith wins the ball back in the middle of the park. Giggs collects and cuts inside, but his left-foot shot is straight at Given.

13. 8'

    Good pressure from Ameobi forces Fortune to play the back to Howard.

14. 9'

    Ramage breaks from his position at right-back, curls in a low cross towards Shearer, but Ferdinand clears. A nice run from the young Newcastle defender.

15. 10'

    United win a free-kick 30 yards out. Rooney shoots right-footed, but his effort is easily claimed by Given. Ferguson looks steely in the United dug-out.

16. 11'

    Ramage wins a corner when his cross is deflected behind. N'Zogbia curls the set-piece in to the box, but United head clear. Newcastle keep the pressure on, and Ambrose flashes a volley narrowly wide.

17. 12'

    There's not a great atmosphere inside Old Trafford this afternoon; akin, perhaps, to an Eric Clapton concert.

18. 13'

    Fletcher and Neville combine well at the end of a nice United move, but Fletcher's ball behind the Newcastle defence is too heavy and Neville can't quite get his cross away.

19. 15'

    Giggs swings over a right-foot cross towards Smith, but O'Brien beats him in the air and Newcastle clear. Giggs has looked lively in the opening stages.

20. 16'

    Fletcher wins a corner off Elliot as his cross is deflected behind. It's taken short to Neville, who swings a deep cross towards the back-post. A good defensive header clears the danger.

21. 17'

    Giggs, who seems to have been given a roaming role, slides Rooney in down the right channel. The young boxer cuts inside on to his left-foot, but his shot is straight at Given.

22. 18'

    Shearer manages to pounce on a bouncing loose ball, beats Howard to a header, but Ferdinand has tracked back to clear inside the six-yard box.

23. 19'

    Newcastle will be encouraged by the start they've made. United have threatened on a couple of occasions, but it's hardly been backs-to-the-wall stuff.

24. 20'

    Giggs again finds some space 35 yards out. He clips the ball in to Fletcher, who lays it back to Rooney, who drives a low shot a few yards wide.

25. 22'

    Howard spills another high ball in to the box, under pressure from Shearer. The United keeper hasn't looked entirely comfortable this afernoon. Perhaps he's got something on his mind.

26. 23'

    Elliot takes an accidental kick to the head as he slides in on Fletcher. The Newcastle full-back began the match with a bandage on his head, protecting four stitches in a wound he suffered in their last match. He seems okay, and is back on his feet.

27. 24'

    Smith fouls O'Brien as they chase a long ball in to the corner. Judging by his reaction, the United striker doesn't agree with the decision. I wish I could lip-read.

28. 25'

    GOAL! Howard scuffs a simple clearance straight to Ambrose, who beats a couple of defenders before slotting a left-foot shot past the United goalkeeper.

29. 26'

    Howard had made a poor start to the game, and that error wasn't his first of the afternoon. But young Ambrose did really well to ride two challenges on the edge of the box before calmly passing the ball in to the net.

30. 27'

    Giggs again beats the off-side trap, but his first-time right-foot shot on the turn is hopelessly mis-hit and straight at Given.

31. 28'

    Heinze and Shearer battle on the edge of the area. The defender is clearly upset at going a goal behind and snaps at Shearer's heels.

32. 29'

    Fletcher seems to have taken a knock. He's labouring a little in the middle of the park.

33. 31'

    Carr brings down Fletcher 35 yards out. Instead of working a shooting chance, they take the set-piece quickly but it comes to nothing. The Newcastle fans are making themselves heard.

34. 32'

    Rooney goes past a couple of Newcastle men before sliding a ball through to Smith. The blonde-haired devil chooses to pull the ball across goal rather than shoot, and Ramage puts the cross out of play at the back post.

35. 33'

    The game seems to have got a little tetchy since Newcastle's goal. United are snapping around, and Newcastle aren't backing out of any challenges either.

36. 34'

    Heinze immediately calls for treatment after landing very awkwardly following a aerial challenge with Ameobi. He looks in some pain.

37. 35'

    Replays showed that Heinze landed very badly on his ankle. He's writhing around on the turf - and the Argentinian isn't the sort of man who goes down easily.

38. 36'

    Heinze is stretchered off, and is presumably being taken straight for x-rays. This isn't good news for United, especially with the FA Cup final looming.

39. 37'

    SUB: Heinze off to generous applause from the United fans, Ronaldo comes on. Fortune, I imagine, will drop back to left-back, with Ronaldo pressing forward.

40. 38'

    Heinze has been one of United's successes this season, and it's a real shame to see him being stretchered off in such obvious pain. Join me in wishing him all the best.

41. 39'

    Carr is booked after tugging back Rooney, who had completely baffled the Newcastle defender with a lovely turn in midfield.

42. 40'

    Newcastle, incredibly, have played 17 Cup matches this season. Perhaps that's why their squad is so stretched at the moment.

43. 41'

    Ambrose picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area and fires a low shot straight at Howard. United break; Giggs fires a low cross towards Smith, who seems to be hauled down in the area by O'Brien. No penalty, despite loud United appeals.

44. 42'

    United win a free-kick 25 yards out, slightly right-of-centre. Ronaldo hits it, but drags his shot well wide of Given's far post. United have only managed three attempts on target in this first half.

45. 43'

    A heavy touch from Keane means a throw-in for Newcastle. Jeers from the away fans, who have been vocal throughout this first 45 minutes. The home fans, by contrast, have been very subdued.

46. 44'

    Boumsong is across quickly to cut out the danger as Neville cuts inside from the right-wing. Newcastle clear their lines, but the Reds are finishing the half strongly.

47. 45'

    Four minutes of stoppage time, unsurprising considering the length of the delay after Heinze's injury.

48. 46'

    Given bravely comes out and collects at the feet of Rooney, who was under pressure from Boumsong. The goalkeeper seemed to be caught by an accidental trailing boot from the United striker.

49. 47'

    Newcastle deal well with three crosses thrown in to their penalty area. Given punches under pressure from Rooney, flattening him in the process.

50. 48'

    Rooney needs some treatment on the sideline following his clash with Given. He's back on his feet, but isn't moving with a great deal of comfort.

51. 49'

    HALF-TIME: Ambrose pounces on an error by Howard to put Newcastle in front. United have had most of the possession, but haven't created a great deal with it. Newcastle, obviously, will be delighted.

52. 46'

    Newcastle are out of the changing rooms first. They'll be desperate to hold on to their lead, especially after such a poor run recently. Newcastle haven't won a league match at Old Trafford since 1972. No changes at half-time.

53. 46'

    United kick-off, and press forward immediately. Neville clips a cross in to the middle, Giggs heads over the bar from 12 yards out.

54. 46'

    N'Zogbia collects a knock-down from Shearer, and smashes a left-foot shot high over the bar.

55. 47'

    Ameobia gives the ball away with a sloppy pass in midfield, and Carr is forced to clear under pressure in his own area after Rooney gets a cross in to the box.

56. 47'

    Smith does well to flick the ball to Fletcher, who slides a good ball through to Fortune. The South African shows good pace and determination as he fires over a cross, but Carr is back to clear once more.

57. 48'

    Shearer is a little over-eager to put Brown under pressure and gives away a free-kick close to United's penalty area. He isn't happy with the decision, but that won't surprise you.

58. 49'

    Giggs collects a throw-in deep in the United half, curls in a cross which O'Brien is forced to put out for a corner. Rooney is then booked for a foul on Milner, leaving his foot in as the Newcastle man cleared.

59. 50'

    Shearer does well to hold off Ferdinand and win a header from a long clearance, but he is the furthest Newcastle man forward by some distance and United collect the knock-down under no pressure whatsoever.

60. 51'

    Keane wins a header in the Newcastle area, but Given collects the ball. United have started the second-half well.

61. 52'

    A nice piece of skill from Ronaldo works some space down the United right, but his low cross is straight at Given.

62. 53'

    Newcastle enjoy a spell with the ball in the United half, but again Shearer is isolated. He's had to work hard for any sort of meaningful possession this afternoon.

63. 54'

    Ronaldo, who has shown a typical willingness to run at Newcastle, tries to cut inside from the right but the move breaks down under pressure from three defenders.

64. 55'

    GOAL! Unbelieveable strike from Rooney. He crashes a right-foot volley in to the top corner from 25 yards. Quite stunning.

65. 56'

    Ambrose gets on a loose ball, beats a man and drags a left-foot shot just wide of the post.

66. 57'

    Newcastle win a free-kick 25 yards out. Shearer tries to catch Howard out with a quickly-taken shot, but the United keeper is alert enough to scamper across his line to collect.

67. 58'

    Ramage and Fortune accidentally clash heads, and the Newcastle man requires treatment. He's back on his feet after a splash with the magic sponge.

68. 59'

    United prepare to make a substitution, with Kleberson stripping off on the touchline.

69. 60'

    SUB: Fletcher off, Kleberson on. The mis-firing World Cup winner replaces Fletcher in the United midfield, a tactical decision it seems.

70. 61'

    United look determined to go on and win this match now. They are getting plenty players forward, and Newcastle seem to be panicing a little under the pressure.

71. 62'

    The replays of Rooney's strike confirm it's brilliance. Sweving, and hit with immense power; Given had no chance.

72. 63'

    Milner cuts inside from the right-wing and wins a corner when his cute ball through to N'Zogbia is cut out by Brown.

73. 64'

    A second Newcastle corner is headed narrowly over the bar by Shearer, who was under pressure from Ferdinand.

74. 64'

    I might be wrong, but I'm sure the first off-side decision of the match has just been made - against Giggs, who lazily wasn't looking across the Newcastle back-line.

75. 65'

    Milner crashes a shot narrowly over the bar after collecting a loose ball 25 yards out. He looks disappointed not to have worked the goalkeeper.

76. 66'

    SUB: Shearer off, Kluivert on. The Newcastle legend doesn't seem to have picked up a knock, so it's something of a strange decision from Souness.

77. 67'

    Smith wins a free-kick when he is bundled over by O'Brien. Shearer is signing autographs after being substituted. Quite strange.

78. 68'

    Kluivert is putting himself about up-front for Newcastle, and the visitors seem to be showing a little more willing to get players up to support him.

79. 69'

    Ambrose has another shot blocked from the edge of the area by Wes Brown. He has been Newcastle's best player this afternoon, though N'Zogbia has also played well.

80. 70'

    Ronaldo is brought down by Elliot. The United winger calls for a card for the Newcastle defender. The referee disagrees.

81. 71'

    Kleberson fires over the bar from the edge of the box. He had a lot of time, but screwed his shot high in to the Stretford End.

82. 72'

    Kleberson appears on the right wing, and wins his side a corner when his cross is deflected wide. First Ronaldo flashes a header across goal, before Kleberson forces another save from Given.

83. 73'

    GOAL! A third United corner is headed in to the corner by Wes Brown, his first-ever Premiership goal.

84. 74'

    Oooh! Ameobi flashes a right-foot shot wide of the far post from the edge of the area. He had plenty time, and claims a deflection from a United defender. Goal-kick.

85. 75'

    Keane requires some treatment on the side line. He seems to be suffering from some sort of vision malfunction, and is led down the tunnel by a team of United officials.

86. 77'

    Newcastle seem to be showing some desire to press forward and get an equaliser; unsurprising, considering they are looking at a fifth-consecutive defeat.

87. 78'

    SUB: Keane off, Silvestre on. Sorry, forgot to mention that a minute or two ago.

88. 79'

    Nice skill from Brown on the right wing. He beats Elliot with a swerve of those famous hips, before lofting a cross towards Rooney in the penalty area. O'Brien, who has been another impressive Newcastle man, heads clear.

89. 80'

    Giggs wins a free-kick out on the left. Ronaldo curls the ball in right-footed, but it evades everyone and drifts wide of the far post.

90. 81'

    So, United look as though they will keep the pressure on Arsenal in the race for second place. The Gunners face Tottenham tomorrow night.

91. 82'

    SUB: Robert comes on for Ramage in an effort to give Newcastle a more attacking look to the final few minutes.

92. 83'

    Great block from O'Brien inside the penalty area as Smith prepared to shoot left-footed. The Newcastle man needs some treatment.

93. 84'

    Milner seems to foul Fortune in the corner, but the referee allows play to continue. The Newcastle man manages to get his cross in, but Ferdinand clears.

94. 85'

    A streaker interrupts play for a moment or two. Everyone adopts a very pious attidude; hands on hips, lips pouting, brows furrowed. Me? I like it. Harmless fun. Get over it.

95. 86'

    The Newcastle fans don't seem too down about the defeat, though their run of defeats will surely be starting to unsettle one or two.

96. 87'

    Given comes out of his goal to clear a pass-back. Unfortunately, he scuffs horribly. Smith hits a first-time effort in the vague direction of the goal, before Elliot inexplicably chests the shot goalwards. Given flies back across his goal-line to save. Very odd.

97. 88'

    The United fans have certainly woken up since their side went in front.

98. 90'

    FULL-TIME: United move to within a point of Arsenal with a hard-fought victory over a battling Newcastle. But the game will surely be remembered for a quite stunning Rooney volley from 25 yards.

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