16 mins: Morrison 0-1

44 mins: Keane shot 0-2

Half time: United 2 United 0

53 mins: Richardson shot 1-2

68 mins: Morrison shot 1-3

72 mins: Tunnicliffe shot 1-4

90 mins: Keane header 1-5

Full time: United 5 United 1

Newcastle's reserves returned to action on Thursday at Altrincham's Moss Lane after a gap of a month since their last competitive outing - and promptly suffered their heaviest defeat of the season.

In freezing temperatures, Peter Beardsley's side were behind after 16 minutes, when a midfield mix-up allowed England U18 prospect Ravel Morrison to beat Ole Soderberg from 18 yards. And William Keane (no relation) then made it 2-0 just before the interval from close range, after Newcastle failed to deal with a corner kick.

The Magpies had given a debut to French winger Yven Moyo but he failed to appear for the second half, after needing treatment in the final moments of the first half. Sammy Ameobi came on in his place.

Soderberg was then called into action six minutes after the restart, saving a penalty from William Keane after Tyler Blackett was caught by James Tavernier.

Michael Richardson then reduced the arrears when he got on the end of Edmundsson's low centre to tap in at the far post on 53 minutes for his first goal at this level - although the final touch looked  to have been Blackett's.

Despite reducing the odds however, Newcastle remained on the back foot and were grateful to their Swedish custodian for making a further clutch of stops. The seemingly inevitable third then arrived on 68 minutes, when Ravel Morrison grabbed his second of the night, shooting home from the edge of the area.

Ryan Tunnicliffe then joined the goalscoring party, latching on to a long ball and side-footing home to make it 4-1 with 18 minutes of normal time remaining.

Magpies Academy defender Alex Nicholson then made his debut at reserve level, appearing from the subs bench in the closing stages.However the home side had the final word, with the visiting back four AWOL once again as William Keane grabbed his second of the night and Manchester United's fifth, heading in from close range. 

Man U Res (a) - Premier Reserve League era:

2010/11 lost 1-4 (Altrincham)
2008/09 drew 1-1 (Altrincham)
2007/08 lost 1-3 (Northwich)
2006/07 lost 0-3 (Hyde)
2005/06 lost 0-4 (Hyde)
2004/05 drew 1-1 (Altrincham)
2003/04 lost 1-2 (Altrincham)
2002/03 won 3-2 (Old Trafford)
2001/02 drew 0-0 (Bury)
2000/01 lost 0-4 (Bury)
1999/00 lost 0-3 (Bury)

Biffa

Reports