KNOCKOUT STARS JUST LIKE RONALDO

start to raise the prospect of a first league double over the Old Trafford side for 89 years.

But the Reds’ response was swift and ruthless, Solskjaer’s men getting back on level terms within seven minutes and using that leveller as the platform to go on and win the game.

Luke Shaw made an impressive run down the left, funnelling the ball inside to Andreas Pereira, who in turn laid it off to Martial.

Martial took his shot early and hit it hard, the combination of the element of surprise and the power in the execution leaving Toon keeper Martin Dubravka unable to keep the ball out.

Suddenly, the momentum was with the home side, who went ahead 12 minutes later, Greenwood capitalising on a sloppy pass into no-man’s land from Fabian Schar.

Greenwood seized on the loose ball and skipped goalwards before unleashing a thunderous left-footed effort that took a deflection before crashing in off the underside of the bar.

It was Greenwood’s eighth goal of the season and fourth in his last five games, with the hosts in full swagger mode by this stage.

They went 3-1 up four minutes before the break, Aaron Wan-bissaka crossing for Rashford to apply a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque header – hanging high in the air before meeting the ball – into the net.

There was no way back for the Magpies after that, with Martial claiming his second of the game, seizing on a woefully underhit pass from Sean Longstaff and clipping the ball over Dubravka.

With the game won, Martial and Rashford were swiftly replaced to keep them as fresh as possible for tomorrow’s trip to Burnley.

Youngster Mason Greenwood celebrates after putting his side ahead stunner and Rashford a Ronaldo-esque header, with a further double from Anthony Martial moving United to within four points of fourth spot. Solskjaer heaped praise on his attackers for blitzing Newcastle after going behind – and said Rashford and Greenwood deserved the lofty comparison to United legend Ronaldo. “Mason can do every single technique,” said Solskjaer. “He can strike it and curl it. Cristiano scores just as many with his left foot. Mason can curl with both feet, he’s just an exceptional finisher. “He’ll grow more and more and we’re not going to see the best of Mason for a couple for years. Marcus, who’s 22 now, sprung on the scene at the same age and you see more maturity in his game. Mason needs to learn how to head it.” On Rashford’s header, Solskjaer said: “He’s been working on it. I remember a boy who headed it well when he was close to goal – and we compare him to Cristiano.” The only blot on a memorable evening for United was a knee injury to midfielder Scott Mctominay (left), who left Old Trafford on crutches. “He’s done his ligament in the knee,” said Solskjaer.” DE GEA WAN-BISSAKA LINDELOF MAGUIRE SHAW FRED MCTOMINAY GREENWOOD PEREIRA RASHFORD MARTIAL SUBS: DUBRAVKA SCHAR FERNANDES LEJEUNE MANQUILLO M LONGSTAFF S LONGSTAFF ALMIRON WILLEMS JOELINTON GAYLE SUBS: