Newcastle United Under-23s saw their shot at the Premier League 2 title slip from their grasp at St James’ Park after a worrying late season capitulation.
A first minute opening was wasted by the Magpies and from there on, Manchester United punished them for almost every defensive lapse.
The game was effectively over at half-time as the Old Trafford youngsters put on something of a football exhibition.
It was a far cry from the corresponding fixture earlier in the season when Newcastle ran riot and win 4-1 at Leigh Sports Village.
Back then Elias Sorensen was in a rich vein of form and scored twice prompting calls of a first team call-up.
But he trudged off long before the final whistle here with a loan spell at Blackpool leaving him devoid of confidence it seems.
This was a painful lesson for all concerned in black and white though.
Newcastle had went on the attack in the opening minute as Matty Longstaff slipped in Rosaire Longelo but former Toon goalkeeper Paul Woolston – released on a free transfer last summer – rushed out and blocked with his leg.
It would be a chance Newcastle would regret as Man United then scored with their first attack.
Nishan Burkart got free down the right-hand side before calmly slotting home from the corner of the six-yard box to beat Nathan Harker and hand the visitors the perfect start.
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On 13 minutes Longstaff won a free-kick down the right but the delivery didn’t trouble the Red Devils and Owen Bailey’s misdirected header bounced to safety.
The young Magpies had Jamie Sterry to thank on 17 minutes after Matthew Olosunde was allowed a free run down the right but the Geordie defender made a timely block.
Newcastle failed to gel in the opening stages and it was very much one-way traffic.
In the 27th minute, Man United made that possession count when Burkart was handed time and space on the edge of the box before despatching a low shot to beat Harker and double the lead.
Three minutes later the game could have been wrapped up for Man United as Angel Gomes attempted a shot from outside the box and clipped the bar.
But the visitors did extend the lead nine minutes before the break as hot prospect Tahith Chong - who played in the Champions League against PSG recently - raced down the left to beat the defence before finishing with ease to beat Harker to make it 3-0.
Man United had more chances before the break but the deficit remained at just three at half-time.
Newcastle at least managed to start the second half with a bit of possession but Man United were in full control after their first half dominance.
On 55 minutes Mo Sangare made a run into the box and was upended but referee Joseph Hull waved away the slight protests.
Dawson then made a change with Sangare replaced by Cal Roberts just before the hour.
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Chong also went off for Man United as Josh Bohui. His exit did even things up a little bit and the black and whites started to get back into the game a bit more.
Lewis Cass had a wild attempt at goal at the Gallowgate End as Newcastle fought to get back in the game.
Sorensen’s disappointing night came to an end with 27 minutes left on the clock.
The Dane had been unable to add to his impressive goal haul on the night but didn’t get much service.
Tyrique Bartlett was thrown on to lead the line and try to add some respectability to the scoreline.
However, the game started to drift again and Mason Greenwood’s shot on the turn forced Harker into a fine save low down.
As the game petered out, Roberts and Bailey were booked for fouls as some home players lost their cool.
With 13 minutes left, Bailey’s foul cost Newcastle dearly as Greenwood stepped up from 25-yards to curl home majestically into the top left-hand corner of Harker’s net.
Greenwood then applied the finish after Dylan Levitt’s cross with seven minutes left to make it 5-0.
Woolston returned to Tyneside to enjoy a shutout but in truth he was only tested once in the first minute, he could have flipped open a deck chair for the rest of the game.
Dawson’s side still have one league game left away to Middlesbrough but will need a big improvement if they are to succeed in the play-offs.
