Man U go hammer and tongs against Newcastle

But United, playing without the injured David Beckham, recovered brilliantly to inflict only Newcastle’s second home defeat of the season and in the process finished off the Magpies already faint championship hopes.

United now lead the table with 70 points from 33 matches, ahead of Arsenal on 67 from 32 and Newcastle 61 from 33. Arsenal are without a league match this weekend when they meet Sheffield United in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

But the Gunners next match is against United in what could effectively be the title decider at Highbury next Wednesday.

They will meet a United side who put the disappointment of Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League behind them in the most emphatic way possible.

Newcastle took the lead after 21 minutes with a superb goal from Jermaine Jenas who lashed in a first-time shot from 20 metres after United failed to clear a Newcastle free kick.

Solskjaer equalised after 32 minutes when he beat the offside trap and showed great individual skill by chesting the ball down and shooting on the turn past Shay Given.

Scholes first goal came after a crisp passing move by United which he ended by volleying a one-two with Solskjaer through Given’s legs. His second was set up by a typically jinking run by Giggs which Scholes lashed wide and high of the Newcastle keeper.

United went 4-1 up just before halftime when Giggs scored after Newcastle failed to clear when a shot from defender John O’Shea bounced back into play after hitting the bar.

Scholes completed his hat-trick after 52 minutes when he planted a cross from substitute Gary Neville wide of Given. The sixth came five minutes later when Van Nistelrooy sent Given the wrong way from the penalty spot after Titus Bramble had tripped substitute Diego Forlan in the box.

Newcastle pulled one back two minutes from time after a poor Barthez clearance allowed Shola Ameobi to grab a consolation.