3 reasons why Manchester United won against Newcastle United

For 45 minutes, with the Stretford End bearing witness, Manchester United woke up and attacked and attacked and attacked. For 45 minutes, we watched vintage Manchester United. It was a performance over a stretch of 90 minutesthat quite patently drew a line between what it was and what it needs to be.

After going down to 2 quickfire goals within the opening 10 minutes of the game where United's defenders were chasing shadows and getting strong-armed by the Toon Army that had only garnered 2 points from all their games so far, it looked like it was time for the board to get to writing a eulogy for Jose Mourinho's Manchester United stint.

But it was not to be. You can't make this up but it was a comeback inspired by Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez and most of all, Paul Pogba.

Mata's brilliant freekick gave United hope in the 70th minute. Martial and Pogba showed what they can do when they dismiss fear from their noggins and Sanchez saved Mourinho's job with a header in the 90th, following some brilliant play from Pogba.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the 3 reasons why Manchester United won against Newcastle United.

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#3 Jose Mourinho's changes worked because the players were up for the challenge

Juan Mata was brought on and he started United's comeback with a lovely freekick

Had United gone on to lose the game, Mourinho would be belted for playing Matic and Pogba alongside Smalling. The change was made after United conceded 2 goals in quick succession. Eric Bailly was taken off immediately and the inexperienced Scott McTominay found it difficult at the centre of the defence.

But as a result of Paul Pogba and Matic playing as deep as they did, United could build from the back. The point that Mourinho tried to make all season that they needed a centreback who can help build the play from the back was glaring.

United had plenty of chances. Marcus Rashford fluffed two chances and both of them should have been buried. Nemanja Matic sent the ball to orbit after Dubravka parried a Pogba shot straight into the defensive midfielder's path. If United had taken their chances, they'd have been rewarded with a more resounding scoreline.

#2 Fearlessness is what unlocks this Manchester United side

Anthony Martial is showing signs of getting back to his best

Once you're 2 goals down, the game becomes easier to play. It sounds outrageous but it is true. When the game looks like a lost cause, the players do not feel the need to shy away from risks. Anthony Martial embodied this sentiment.

In the first half, he was constantly trying to play it safe and Martial is but another winger when he does that. He is at his best when he charges into defenders, taunts them and sends them backpedalling and relentlessly guessing.

He got a well-deserved goal and put an end to his Premier League goal drought too. Juan Mata underlined the cliche that form is temporary but class is permanent. Mata's presence on the field meant that United moved the ball quickly through the thirds.

The defence is shambolic, to say the least. But with the amount of attacking talent at their disposal, the Red Army should really be playing entire games with the same intensity that they showed in the second half at Old Trafford.

#1 Paul Pogba leads the way

Pogboom

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Paul Pogba has been quite consistent this season. United's defence is poor but Pogba looks more settled than ever in a Manchester United shirt. And what a matured performance this was. The one feature of almost all of United's high scoring games is Pogba's ventures into the opposition's box.

As soon as Pogba gets the ball inside the box, he takes away 3 or 4 players and opens up huge spaces. This is exactly what worked for the 2nd and 3rd goal. Of course, there is the undeniable quality to boast- that backheel to set Martial up was a thing of beauty as was the holdup play and flick to Young for United's third.

When Paul Pogba takes games by the scruff of its neck, Manchester United are difficult to stop. And if he can keep bringing his A-game for Jose Mourinho's Red Army, United can still turn this season around.

It is time to be fearless. United haven't got much to lose and they should come unshackled and play top quality football like they can.