NEWCASTLE: Harvey Barnes struck twice as Newcastle thrashed troubled Manchester United 4-1 to climb into fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday.
Newcastle were without manager Eddie Howe, who was admitted to hospital on Friday after feeling unwell for several days.
But Barnes provided a welcome tonic for Howe as his second-half brace at St. James’ Park boosted Newcastle’s bid to qualify for the Champions League.
With Howe’s assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones in charge of the League Cup winners, Sandro Tonali put Newcastle ahead before Alejandro Garnacho equalized late in the first half.
Barnes stole the spotlight after the interval, becoming the first Newcastle player to score twice in one league game against United since Alan Shearer in 2000.
Bruno Guimaraes punished a blunder from United keeper Altay Bayindir, who started in place of the dropped Andre Onana, to seal Newcastle’s first four-goal haul against United since 2001.
In the race to reach the Champions League via a top five finish, Newcastle are just one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest.
They have a game in hand on Forest, as well as fifth-placed Manchester City and sixth-placed Chelsea, who are two points adrift of the Magpies.
United have now gone four games without a win in all competitions, leaving them languishing in 14th place with just six games left to avoid their lowest finish since 1973-74, when they came 21st and were relegated.
They are already certain to suffer their worst points total in the Premier League era, with the previous low 58 in 2021-22.
Ruben Amorim made five changes with an eye on Lyon’s visit to Old Trafford for the Europa League quarter-final, second leg next Thursday, but United were blown away with embarrassing ease.
Bayindir had replaced Onana after the Cameroon keeper’s latest error-strewn display in United’s 2-2 draw at Lyon last Thursday.
But the 26-year-old, signed from Fenerbahce in 2023, endured a woeful first Premier League start.
Newcastle’s opening goal arrived at the climax of a flowing move after United midfielder Manuel Ugarte gave the ball way in the 24th minute.
Kieran Trippier surged forward and found Alexander Isak, who astutely lifted his pass over the defense for Tonali to drive a clinical finish into the far corner from an acute angle 10 yards out.
It was the 19th time United had conceded the opening goal in a league game this season — their joint-most in a single campaign in the competition.
With United out of sync once again, Tonali almost doubled the lead as the Italy midfielder curled just wide from distance.
Bayindir looked nervous when he punched Tino Livramento’s cross straight to Isak, but he redeemed himself with a good save from the Swede’s volley.
United equalized completely against the run of play in the 37th minute.
Diogo Dalot was the catalyst with a buccaneering burst that carried him to the edge of the Newcastle area, where he slipped a precise pass to Garnacho and the Argentine winger fired past Nick Pope.
Having scored for just the second time in 2025, Garnacho went close to another when Pope palmed away his blast on the stroke of half-time.
But Newcastle regained the lead four minutes after half-time as United’s leaky defense was breached again.
Livramento’s low cross was alertly kept in by Murphy beyond the far post and his pass into the six-yard box found Barnes unmarked for a clinical finish.
Zirkzee limped off to add to United’s woes after crumpling to the turf with an apparent hamstring injury.
United were in disarray and Barnes delivered the knockout blow in the 64th minute, dispossessing Noussair Mazraoui and racing clear to drill a fierce strike past Bayindir.
In the 77th minute, Bayindir’s wayward pass went straight to Joelinton, who nodded the ball onto Guimaraes for a composed finish that rubbed salt into United’s gaping wounds.

DUBAI: The UAE’s National MMA Championship 3, organized by the UAE’s Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, began on Saturday at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai in front of a large crowd, and featured young talent representing clubs and academies nationwide.

The opening day included bouts in the Youth D (10-11 years), Youth C (12-13) and Youth B (14-15) categories, while Sunday sees the tournament’s conclusion with competitions in Youth A (16-17) and Adult (18+) categories.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE’s Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “We are proud of the strong performances we saw today and the impressive participation of our sons and daughters, especially those who are just starting their journey.

“These categories are the foundation for the future of the sport and show that the federation’s efforts to develop talent are paying off.”

Al-Dhaheri added that the high level of public engagement, organization, and quality of the fights reflected the growing importance of the championship locally, and continued efforts to provide the ideal environment for developing a generation of athletes capable of succeeding.

Zakaria Bichi, coach of Primal Gym Abu Dhabi, said: “We’re taking part in this edition with seven athletes, and several of them have won gold medals thanks to strong preparation and serious commitment during training.

“This championship is a key milestone in their careers, especially when it comes to building confidence and gaining experience. We’ve seen how mixed martial arts in the country continues to grow every year. This is a result of the federation’s ongoing commitment to organising high-level events that help shape a new generation of champions.”

Suhair Almarzooqi, the mother of 14-year-old Hamad Alsaboori from ADMA Academy, said: “We’re proud to see our children take part in a tournament at this level as it helps them improve their athletic skills, build character, and boosts their confidence.

“Sports today are more than just physical activity: They are a powerful way to teach discipline, responsibility, and the importance of working towards goals.

“We’re grateful to the federation for organizing this championship, which gives our children the right environment to explore their potential and make the most of their free time in a way that benefits them and supports their future.”

Emirati Hamda Ali Khalfan Almutwa, of Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, who won gold in her division at the event, said: “Since I began my career in martial arts I have dreamed of this moment. Winning the gold medal today makes me feel proud and gives me even more motivation to train and improve. Thank you to everyone who supported me. I hope to be a role model for all girls who dream of reaching the podium.”