Solskjaer gives United half-time lead

Manchester United 1 Newcastle 0

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lightning reactions ensured Manchester United gained some reward for their first-half dominance of Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The veteran forward was on hand to tap home six minutes before the break after Cristiano Ronaldo's shot had crashed back off a post.

It was the second time United had struck the frame of their visitors’ goal, with Darren Fletcher’s rasping drive thudding against the other post midway through the half.

Fletcher was agonisingly close to giving his side the lead after 26 minutes, striking the base of a post from 20 yards after Rooney and Ronaldo had combined to set him up.

Newcastle were offering little in attack but James Milner did cut in off the right flank to test Edwin van der Sar with a low shot.

United suffered a major blow after half an hour when Heinze limped off. Coming so soon after his recovery from cruciate ligament surgery, it was a worrying development for the Argentina full-back although, in Patrice Evra, at least Sir Alex Ferguson had a ready-made replacement.

Like Carrick, Parker was not really imposing himself on the game and he paid the price for a series of Newcastle fouls on Ronaldo by collecting the first caution.

Ronaldo got up to take the free-kick himself, a vicious 30-yarder which Harper got right behind as it dipped in front of him.

The winger soon had his revenge though, getting just reward for his quick-thinking as he exchanged passes with Evra as Newcastle dozed at a corner before embarking on a run which took him to the centre of the field, 20 yards out.

Yet again, the shot was thunderous and as it came crashing back off the post, Solskjaer was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Scholes was booked for a foul on Emre shortly afterwards as Newcastle responded to the setback by enjoying their best spell of possession in the opening period.