Manchester United vs Newcastle: 3 things we learned as Ronaldo shines
![Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 11, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 11, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/aa06efdd024541ce892c75f8af8bdaf8fa3b2f415114133a17cbb85647112f15.jpg)
Manchester United continued their great start to the Premier League season with a 4-1 win against Newcastle United to go top of the table. A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo on his second debut for the club and one goal each from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard were enough to hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side all three points.
While it was a comfortable win at the end of the day, the Red Devils were not quite at their best. Newcastle United were very much in the game for an hour.
But Manchester United were ultimately able to pull away on the back of the incredible individual talent that they possess in their squad.
There are quite a few new signings in this squad. And once everybody starts to gel together, this team could get even better. That is certainly a very exciting thought considering the fact that they are already at the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United: 3 things we learned
Here are three things we learned as Manchester United came out with all three points from the game against Newcastle United with Ronaldo scoring a brace:
Manchester United need to be better defensively
While the Red Devils are shining going forward at the moment, defensively, they still do not look the strongest.
In the past couple of games, they have given quite a few chances away. If Wolverhampton Wanderers had taken their opportunities, they most probably would have won the previous game. And while the game against Newcastle United ended in a comfortable 4-1 win at the end of the day, the Magpies did have the chances to score more on the day.
Once this combination at the back gels together though and the midfield pivot have formed a partnership, things could get much more solid at the back. Thus, there is cause for a lot of excitement for the future.