Scholes stars as United outclass Newcastle | Thebigtip

By Reuters from abc.net.au

Striker Dimitar Berbatov scored a clinical first goal as Manchester United sauntered to a 3-0 victory against promoted Newcastle United in its Premier League opener at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs also struck to provide an emphatic response to champions Chelsea's 6-0 blast against West Bromwich Albion, with Alex Ferguson's slick side a class above Newcastle who faded away after a bright start.

Paul Scholes was chief tormentor, the veteran playmaker releasing Berbatov after 33 minutes to fire a low shot past Steve Harper and then picking out substitute Giggs to volley United's third late in the second half.

Fletcher's close-range poke home had effectively ended the match as a contest shortly before half-time and United, runners-up to Chelsea last season, spent the second period toying with its overawed opponents.

It was a satisfying night for Ferguson, who gave Mexican striker Javier Hernandez his league debut as a second-half replacement for Wayne Rooney but he reserved his praise for the effervescent Scholes who at 35 still pulls United's strings.

"He showed again that he has marvellous passing range and vision for the game and he's still got that appetite for the game and that's the most important thing," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

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