Højlund comes off bench to settle see-saw battle

Manchester United are up to 57 points, the same as Newcastle United, who headed back to the north-east pondering precisely how they lost a toe-to-toe contest played out at breakneck speed.

- Jamie Jackson

Manchester United 3

Newcastle United 2

The win was sealed by a sweet finish by Rasmus Højlund, just on as a replacement, his 18-yard, right-foot shot going through Lewis Hall's legs and in via a Martin Dubravka palm.

Despite victory, Erik ten Hag's team remain eighth, due to an inferior goal difference of 18, so may have to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to secure European football.

Afterwards, Ten Hag's players proceeded on a lap of appreciation, a convention at the last home game of the season, and one the Dutchman insisted, pre-match, did not "feel" would mark a goodbye as the manager. Who, though, knows, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe assesses potential replacements before deciding his future after the Cup final on Saturday week In the posh seats the hosts' newly crowned Under-18 Premier League National champions were guests of honour and saw Alexander Isak shoot wildly after Kieran Trippier dispossessed Alejandro Garnacho.

Casemiro had a minor shocker in Sunday's 1-0 loss here against Arsenal but turned in an impressive 45 minutes that came after some initial torpor with the Brazilian spraying a simple pass to the opposition.

Newcastle attacked quickly, Anthony Gordon receiving the ball in the hosts' area, but Sofyan Amrabat poked out a leg to tackle and save his side.