The adulation will, understandably, be directed towards the incredible Cristiano Ronaldo, who provides a genuine reminder of George Best's greatest days, but it was Michael Carrick, the slowest member of the United midfield, who controlled the tempo against Newcastle. Intercepting, passing simply and changing the play with aplomb, United's midfield fulcrum caught the eye in front of the watching Fabio Capello.
A younger version of Nicky Butt, yet much more canny, Carrick set United's attack in motion as he rolled the ball into the front players' feet and the runners raced forward. Always calm and controlled, his position was the key as he made angles to receive off Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, taking advantage of the freedom Newcastle allowed him. Butt was too deep and neither Alan Smith - no midfield enforcer - nor Charles N'Zogbia got tight enough to close the space.
Ahead of Carrick, United's speedy counter-attacking showed great desire to support the man in possession and add a killer touch, with the third goal, in which Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Ronaldo all combined exquisitely, encapsulating Sir Alex Ferguson's philosophy. It was irresistible stuff.
When United go forward they throw caution to the wind and flood the opposition box. In doing so they leave space for opponents to exploit - Ferguson is happy to go man-for-man at the back, sacrificing extra cover such is his confidence in Ferdinand and Vidic - but Newcastle, playing with a lone striker, were not good enough to administer punishment here. Ferguson's is a brave approach and one that reminds me of the old Brian Clough days.
With both teams employing only one genuine defensive midfield player, Carrick and Butt, the goal deluge was not surprising. Rooney had five first-half goal attempts alone and, although he appeared irritated at failing to convert one of those chances, he was magnificently unselfish in the second-half storm. United were bewitchingly inventive during that period and there was a sense that Allardyce had been spared.
Shay Given's casual contribution to United's second-half pep-up was alarming and, although Newcastle did enjoy some possession at times and were also unfortunate that the peripheral Michael Owen had a goal disallowed, there was little forward thrust. The visitors looked exasperated and exhausted as they tried in vain to contain United's speed and electric movement. Newcastle badly need some midfield steel and a defensive leader as well as a new manager.
