Premier League 2018-19: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester United, 5 Talking points

#2 Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez get the confidence boost they desperately needed

Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez were good for the time they spent on the pitch. They got the confidence they so desperately needed.

Both Lukaku and Sanchez started from the bench against the Magpies. In all honesty, both have not performed up to the standards they set at their former clubs. Alexis Sanchez lacked confidence each time he stepped on the pitch under Jose Mourinho. Romelu Lukaku has missed enough 1v1 opportunities to make a 10 to 12-minute video of those. The injury lay-off for both players did not help them either.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer introduced both Lukaku and Sanchez in the 63rd minute in a quest for the opening goal. One minute after being substituted, Lukaku fired Manchester in front with a poacher's goal. This time he had eyes on the ball, he was hungry for the goal and he reacted in a split second to get his goal. This is what a pure striker does.

Both Alexis and Lukaku were involved in the second goal as well. Lukaku showed a considerable improvement in his first touch. Alexis picked out Rashford with relative ease between the two defenders. He looked much more composed on the pitch, something which has gone missing since he left Arsenal.

The Red Devils need their experienced campaigners to be firing on all cylinders. It must be said that Solskjaer can trust on either to start against Spurs should the need arrive. Otherwise, even from the bench, these two will be vital.