RED DEVILS EASE PAST MAGPIES
A brace of goals from Paul Scholes, and an inevitable strike from Ruud van Nistelrooy put the game out of The Magpies' reach - with all three goals forged from fine team play.
Shearer, booed throughout by the Old Trafford faithful, did not put a foot wrong on a frustrating night for an ineffective Newcastle side and was rewarded for his patience when he scored with a fine header after a pinpoint Robbie Elliott cross.
Leading 1-0 from the first half courtesy of van Nistelrooy's point-blank header, Scholes scored the second just four minutes into the second period.
A flowing move saw the impressive Mikael Silvestre feed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who in turn touched the ball into Scholes' path, and he made no mistake in lashing home on the turn.
The diminutive midfielder had suffered a run of poor form at the beginning of the season, but was his old bustling self in the absence of the injured Ryan Giggs and rested David Beckham.
Scholes' strike was his 50th Premiership goal in his 300th appearance for The Red Devils - and also his side's 50th goal in the league this season.
Newcastle could have put themselves back in touch four minutes later, but after a brilliant Kieron Dyer run Craig Bellamy was a yard away from the low cross and then, after gathering out wide, sent an effort narrowly over.
62 minutes into the game and the points were safe. Roy Keane surging down the right and having the luxury of time to pick out Scholes at the back post for the third goal.
A first half that showed just how far Manchester United have come in terms of confidence and team play brought only one goal - but a peach at that.
Newcastle - despite conceding the lion's share of possession to their esteemed hosts - probably carved out the better chances, but can have few quibbles with the scoreline at the break.
Gary Speed had seen a volley well saved in the early stages, but van Nistelrooy had given notice of his form when he cut across the back two and brought a fine save from Shay Given after a stinging drive.
The goal, when it came, was produced down the left, despite the notable absence of Ryan Giggs.
Silvestre has almost surreptitiously progressed from one of the most maligned footballers in The Premiership to a quality left back, and his foray past Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was rewarded with a well weighted pass which the French defender crossed superbly.
In the centre Sylvain Distin had made perhaps his only defensive error of the half by losing van Nistelrooy, and the Dutchman simply does not miss from inside the six-yard box, steering a header gleefully into the gaping net.
The Magpies did begin to grow in confidence as the period drew to a close and after another Speed effort was comfortably saved by Fabien Barthez , Bobby Robson will have been aggrieved to have a perfectly good goal ruled out.
A virtually anonymous Nolberto Solano was adjudged to have pushed Silvestre before looping a header cleverly home, when the tussle did not appear to have an obvious aggressor.
With Manchester United right back in it, the race for the Premiership title has all the markings of a classic this season - but if the winning run continues, it could well soon become a one-horse race again.
The one disappointing aspect on an otherwise good night for The Red Devils was van Nistelrooy limping out with a hamstring strain.
The Dutchman left the field of play with 25 minutes remaining, but Sir Alex Ferguson said it was just a precaution, although he will know more on Thursday.
When asked about the fitness of the Dutch forward, the Scot said: "We will wait until tomorrow to see what it is like, we will know more then.
"I hope it is not serious, but we will see."
On the absence of David Beckham, Ferguson told Sky Sports: "The midfield has been fantastic. David did well on Sunday, but it is difficult to tell someone they are dropped when they have been playing so well."
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Manchester United v Newcastle
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