Player Ratings: Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United

Could have pulled up a park bench and had a snooze for most of this match as he was rarely tested.

Outsmarted by Carroll in the penalty box early on but otherwise largely untroubled. A clash of heads with the Newcastle targetman reverberated around Old Trafford in the second half.

United's jack-of-all-trades supported Valencia expertly on the right flank and kept Gutierrez quiet.

Far bigger tests to come in what will be a crucial campaign for the Irishman's claims to be Ferdinand's heir apparent. Maintained his concentration against Carroll.

Superb inside run in the build-up to United's second as his team's dominance allowed him to bomb forward at will. The France debacle does not appear to have diminished his vast influence.

Under-stated but wonderfully neat and tidy and sent in some Beckham-esque crosses from the right flank.

The ageless wonder provided the kind of peachy pass for Berbatov's opener that has been his hallmark for a decade-and-a-half. Then he really started to play. Pinged eye-of-the-needle pass after eye-of-the-needle pass. Magnificent.

He knows he's good and so does everyone else. Remind you of another Portugese wide boy? His deliveries from the left lacked consistency but there were enough tricks and feints to keep the crowd enthralled.

When are teams going to learn that his late runs from midfield really do need tracking? Prodded in United's second, ran everywhere and harassed everyone.

Slick finish for the opener and could have had a hatful had his ruthlessness matched his velvet touch. Enough to suggest he finally has got the bit between his teeth after two lacklustre campaigns in Manchester.

Freed of the burden to lead his country to glory, seemed happy to be back in the bosom of Old Trafford. At times, over-eager to make an imprint on the new season and airbrush his South Africa troubles. Extended his run of goalless games for club and country to 13.

Lacks the sheer physical presence of many of the goalkeeping fraternity but made some important interventions on a busy night.

Looks like Carles Puyol and showed some of the heart and commitment of Spain's finest. Led from the back as best he could.

The lower league giant was cut down to size by the cleverness and movement of the United attackers. It can only get easier after this.

Caught horribly out of position for United's opener and stuggled to stem the red-and-white tide.

A World Cup right-back and a Premier League left-winger. Mr Versatile could make little impact.

Really got stuck in at right-back as he refused to be cowed by United's dominance.

Got a bit lost in the 'hole' behind Carroll in a largely anonymous performance. Doubts as to whether he has the touch and technique to play the 'Bergkamp' role.

Was that a fly? A moth? No, apparently, it was a moustache. Which Barton will not shave until Newcastle win. Inevitably booked, inevitably heckled and could not quite cut it against such high calibre opponents.

With flowing locks and inelegant stride, glided through the turf like a latter-day Darren Peacock. Missed a great opportunity to give his team the lead early on when he planted a six-yard header well wide. Displayed enough stomach for the fight to show he can be a threat to Premier League defences.

His contribution to the game was not so much a footnote as a toenote. Newcastle need much more invention from him.

Never gave up but completely outclassed against his former club. For such a fierce competitior, that will be hard to take.