Newcastle Utd 1: Shearer 26
Manchester Utd 2: van Nistelrooy 50, Scholes 58

Final Update (12pm kick-off): 90mins

United: Given, Griffin, O'Brien, Dyer, Shearer, Speed, Hughes, Bramble, Ameobi (Chopra 70), Bowyer (Jenas 70), Robert (Viana 70)  Subs (not used): Harper, Bernard

Man Utd: Howard, P Neville, Ferdinand, van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Keane, Scholes, Djemba-Djemba, Solksjaer (Ronaldo 76), O'Shea, Silvestre  Subs: Carroll, Kleberson, Forlan, Fletcher

Referee: Uriah Rennie

Attendance: 52,165

SIR Bobby Robson was forced to make changes for the visit of Manchester United in the first home game of the season at St. James' Park.

Titus Bramble and Shola Ameobi replaced injured duo Jonathan Woodgate and Craig Bellamy, while Aaron Hughes switched to left back in place of Olivier Bernard, so Andy Griffin came in at right back.

Manchester United kicked off attackinbg the Gallowgate End, and van Nistelrooy won a corner inside the first two minutes, and when Giggs swung the ball in Given did well to block Silvestre's header and Bramble cleared the danger.

At the other end Ameobi appeared to be pulled back inside the box by Ferdinand, but referee Mr Rennie was having none of it.

Some good play from Speed saw him pick up possession in midfield and send Hughes away down the left, but his cross to Ameobi was blocked by Howard in the visiting goal.

Griffin got the first caution of the game on 11 minutes when he fouled van Nistelrooy 35 yards from goal, but Scholes effort was charged down by Shearer in the defensive wall.

Newcastle won their first corner on 13 minutes when Robert's free kick was headed away by Ferdinand, but Bramble couldn't keep his header down when Bowyer took the flag kick.

On 21 minutes van Nistelrooy turned Bramble and raced clear on goal, but as the Dutchman advanced into the box the former Ipswich defender recovered to make a good challenge.

Two minutes later Manchester United were rattled when O'Brien's challenge on Giggs went upunished. Their players surrounded the referee, and when Sir Alex Ferguson raced from his dugout to make his point he was promptly given a good talking to by the official then ordered to the stands.

And the Manchester United boss had further cause to be angry on 26 minutes when Shearer found the net with a powerful header from Robert's free kick to put The Magpies 1-0 up.

Just before the half hour Ameobi slid the ball across the face of goal as United looked to double their lead, but there was no-one in a black and white shirt in the danger area to poke the ball home.

As the game passed the half hour mark, the viistors were looking dangerous in attack but the centre back pairing of O'Brien and Bramble were doing well to keep van Nistelrooy and company at bay.

Djemba-Djemba tried his luck with a 30 yard drive on 33 minutes that flew well wide, then moments later a foul by Bramble on van Nistelrooy just outside of the centre circle earned the Newcastle defender a caution.

Four minutes before the break another attack from the visitors saw Solksjaer swing the ball in, and Hughes did well to turn the ball over his own crossbar for a corner kick from inside the six yard area.

On the stroke of half time Robert tried his luck from distance but his effort flashed wide of Howard's goal.

Three minutes into the second half Manchester United had a glorious chance to level when van Nistelrooy was sent clear, but with just Given to beat he rolled his effort wide.

But two minutes later van Nistelrooy did find the net after turning well after a pass from Keane and slotting the ball past Given.

On 55 minutes Given was in the right place at the right time to save on his linbe as Scholes got a toe to phil Neville's cross.

On 58 minutes, Scholes chested the ball into the net from close range to puyt the visitors 2-1 in front after as good cross from Keane caught the Newcastle backline flat-footed.

Keane's foul on Dyer on the hour saw United awarded a free kick 30 yards out in a central position, but Robert's low drive hit the wall.

When play switched to the other end, O'Brien made a good challenge on van Nistelrooy as Manchester United tried to increase their advantage.

Moments later Solksjaer becamse the first visiting player to be cautioned when he caught Bramble with a high foot, then van Nistelrooy saw yellow for a foul on Bowyer.

On 70 minutes, Sir Bobby made a triple change, with Chopra, Jenas and Viana replacing Ameobi, Bowyer and Robert, then on 76 minutes, Solksjaer was replaced by Manchester united's Portuguese midfielder Ronaldo.

Ten minutes from time Newcastle looked as though they had created an opening when Shearer fed Dyer inside the box, but the midfielder delayed his shot and was forced wide by O'Shea so the chance went begging.

Ronaldo showed some good skill out wide two minutes from time and sent in a measured cross, but Given gathered with van Nistelrooy lurking in the six yard box.

The fourth official signalled two minutes of stoppage time, and Chopra had a great chance to level when Shearer sent him clear but Howard pulled off a fine block.

Diego Forlan was given a taste of the action in injury time when he replaced Giggs, though the Uruguayan didn't have time to touch the ball before the final whistle went.