Man United 6-0 Newcastle

Jan 13 2008 Iain Gilmour Reports

CRISTIANO RONALDO helped himself to a second-half hat-trick as Manchester United blasted back to the top of the table.

Managerless Newcastle held out for 49 minutes before they were mercilessly put to the sword.

United seem certain to retain the title on this showing with Ronaldo looking unstoppable.

He wore a wide smile at the end after claiming his first hat-trick for the club and taking his goals tally this season to an amazing 22.

Carlos Tevez weighed in with a double and Rio Ferdinand claimed the other as United ran riot.

It was a disastrous end to a bad day for Newcastle whose job offer to Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was turned down.

Where the club's owner Mike Ashley turns now is anyone's guess but it looks likely caretaker Nigel Pearson will be in charge for a couple of games. That's of no concern to Sir Alex Ferguson who was thrilled by his side's display.

He said: "I thought there were too many individuals in the first half trying to walk the ball into the net. I stressed at half-time passing was the key element.

"Once we increased the tempo of the passing and movement they were a fantastic team in the second half.

"You always want a quick start to the second period and the quick goals settled everyone and after that we played some great football."

Pearson was dismayed at the way his side caved in after a decent first 45 He said: "That was a difficult day. I can't say a great deal more than that.

"I thought in the first half we did okay. One or two decisions, you could argue, went against us. Having said that they were better than us.

"The fashion in which we folded in the end is difficult to take. We as a club need to move quickly to get this situation resolved. It's all about picking the lads up now.

"There is loads to do at this club. It is in everybody's interest that this situation is resolved as soon as possible."

United dominated from the start and Shay Given denied Wayne Rooney, watched by England boss Fabio Capello, three times.

Two James Milner shots were blocked by United defenders but Newcastle didn't test keeper Edwin van der Sar.

Ferguson, just back from a touchline ban, was out of his dugout blasting Rob Styles for his failure to award a penalty after Ronaldo went over Steven Taylor's outstretched leg.

Later Ferguson blasted the whistler and said: "I just don't understand Rob. He turned a penalty down in the Fulham game and there's another example. I think he may be trying to make a point."

Newcastle had survived the first half but were behind four minutes after the break.

Alan Smith clipped Ronaldo on the edge of the box and as the wall jumped the superkid blasted a daisy-cutter past Given.

Three minutes later Ryan Giggs teed up Tevez for an easy finish.

The closest Newcastle came was when Owen fired wide from close range.

In 70 minutes Rooney put Ronaldo through and he finished brilliantly.

Rooney then set up Ferdinand to sidefoot home the fourth after 85 minutes.

But United weren't finished and Ronaldo completed his treble with a deflected shot before Tevez fired home off the bar.

Smith protested too strongly that the ball wasn't over the line and was sent off.