Newcastle

Shay Given - 6: Could have done better for the first goal, but made some impressive saves later on.

Stephen Carr - 6: Toiled away on the right and tried hard in the second half particularly, but rarely got the chance to set up goal chances.

Celestine Babayaro - 4: Well off the pace in the first half, suffered a calf injury and was replaced at half time by N'Zogbia.

Jean-Alain Boumsong - 7: Newcastle's busiest outfield player, kept the scoreline respectable in the first half.

Steven Taylor - 5: Denied Ronaldo an early chance but other than a late header against the post, played an insignificant role after that.

Nicky Butt - 5: His mistake helped set up United's third goal and he was left stranded in midfield when Newcastle changed to a more attacking formation.

Amdy Faye - 5: Replaced by O'Brien at half time after failing to make an impact due to a thigh injury.

Laurent Robert - 4: Occasional flashes early on but faded altogether when Newcastle were really up against it.

James Milner - 5: Booked early on, but contributed little before being substituted on the hour.

Shola Ameobi - 6: Quiet in the first half but his goal kept Newcastle in the game after Man Utd went 3-0 up.

Alan Shearer - 5: Few clear chances. Took a knock on the head in the first half, posed more threat later on in more attacking formation.

Substitutes

Andy O'Brien (replaced Faye, 45 mins) - 6: Half-time replacement for Faye, got stuck in but failed to have significant impact.

Charles N'Zogbia (replaced Babyaro, 45 mins) - 5: Put forward in a more attacking role than Babayaro, but with little joy.

Patrick Kluivert (replaced Milner, 63 mins) - 6: Came on as Newcastle threw everything forward, but added little to their threat.

Manchester United

Tim Howard - 6: Had almost nothing to do until he allowed Shola Ameobi's low shot to go through his legs.

Gary Neville - 7: Did a good job of keeping Lauren Robert quiet and got forward at every opportunity with some dangerous crosses.

Gabriel Heinze - 7: Possibly at fault for Newcastle's goal when he allowed Shola Ameobi too much space, but otherwise he was his usual solid self.

Wes Brown - 6: Combined well in central defence with Rio Ferdinand to ensure Alan Shearer was kept largely in check.

Rio Ferdinand - 6: Hardly tested all day, he was dominant in the air and assured on the ground. One of his easiest afternoons.

Roy Keane - 7: Seemed even more pumped up than usual. His motivational words and inspirational play drove his side forward.

Paul Scholes - 7: Scored the crucial second goal just before half-time and was full of energy and invention.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 8: Harshly booked for diving in the area early on. As usual not everything came off for him but he capped a fine display with a goal.

QuInton Fortune - 6: Handed the left side role with Ryan Giggs not risked from the start. Came close to scoring with a first-half volley.

Wayne Rooney - 8: Got through a lot of defensive work. Newcastle had no answer to his powerful running from deep which helped create the third goal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy - 9 (STAR MAN): Ended his eight-game run without a goal in fine style. Seemed to grow in confidence and always a handful. Could have had a hat-trick.

Substitutes

Ryan Giggs (replaced Rooney, 78 mins) - 6: Not fit enough to start the game after his hamstring injury. Given a useful run out.

Darren Fletcher (replaced Scholes, 78 mins) - 6: The tie was all-but-over when he came on but he managed to get a header on goal.