United THRASH Newcastle 6-0

Cristiano Ronaldo's first hat-trick for Manchester United sent them to the Premier League summit as they destroyed managerless Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The winger's free-kick broke the deadlock after 49 minutes and Carlos Tevez quickly tapped in a second.

Ronaldo capped a stunning four-man move for the third and Rio Ferdinand volleyed in a fourth after 85 minutes.

He sealed his treble via a deflection, and Newcastle's Alan Smith saw red for dissent after Tevez's disputed sixth.

Newcastle's fans, stunned by Harry Redknapp's refusal to succeed sacked Sam Allardyce, paraded banners calling for the appointment of Alan Shearer.

But the Tyneside legend is unlikely to have been tempted towards the hot-seat by what was on offer from a wretched Newcastle side.

New England coach Fabio Capello was in attendance as Wayne Rooney drove an early chance over the top as United set the platform for first-half domination.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given twice saved well from Rooney as United threatened to lay siege to the visitors' goal.

Claudio Cacapa then cleared a goal-bound header from John O'Shea before the game had a moment of controversy after 28 minutes.

Ronaldo was furious - as was a gesticulating Sir Alex Ferguson - when referee Rob Styles turned down penalty appeals after he tumbled under challenge from Steven Taylor.

Old Trafford was in a fury, but Ronaldo was looking for the spot-kick and went to ground far too easily.