NEWCASTLE Harvey Barnes scored twice and Bruno Guimarães added a fourth as Newcastle United ran riot over a woeful Manchester United side, winning 4-1 at St James’ Park on Sunday to leap into the Premier League's top four.

Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a precise volley from Alexander Isak’s flick, and while Alejandro Garnacho offered a brief response for the visitors, the second half belonged entirely to Eddie Howe’s side.

Barnes, whose sharpness off the left caused United problems all game, tapped in Newcastle's second from Jacob Murphy’s low cross in the 55th minute before capitalizing on a defensive howler to grab his second just nine minutes later.

Guimarães then sealed the win late on after a disastrous back pass from United debutant goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, making it a statement performance for a Newcastle side now very much in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

“It’s probably the most complete performance of our season,” said Howe post-match. “The response from the team, the energy, the ruthlessness—we were at our best in that second half.”

The win marked Newcastle’s first league double over Manchester United since 1930–31 and lifted the Magpies into fourth place, just one point off third-placed Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, United's season continues to spiral. The loss was their 13th of the campaign, equalling the most in a league season since 1989-90. Ruben Amorim, already under scrutiny after their Europa League collapse midweek against Lyon, watched helplessly as his side crumbled again with glaring issues in midfield and defensive transitions.

“I take full responsibility,” Amorim said. “We weren’t good enough, and we know it.”

To compound matters, striker Joshua Zirkzee pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury in the first half and had to be replaced, further depleting an already stretched squad.

Next up for Newcastle is a midweek clash against Crystal Palace, while United must quickly regroup for the second leg of their Europa League quarterfinal at home to Lyon, with pressure now boiling over at Old Trafford.