Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored two apiece as Manchester United won at Newcastle to close the gap on Arsenal to three points.

United went ahead in the 24th minute when Ronaldo sent a pinpoint cross from the left to the far post for Rooney to volley home from close range. And they made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Ronaldo got on the end of Michael Carrick’s superb through-ball to slide past Steve Harper.

Ronaldo then made it 3-0 in the 56th minute when he took full advantage of Steven Taylor’s slip to round Harper and effortlessley net. Newcastle reduced the deficit in the 79th minute when Faye scrambled home from close range following a James Milner corner but Rooney curled home a minute later to end hopes of a comeback.

And Saha added a fifth in stoppage time with a low 15-yard effort.