Despite all their travails this season Manchester United have won more points on the road in the Premier League than any other team and they notched up a 10th away win with this routine performance.

Once United took the lead Newcastle offered little resistance, giving the impression that they had packed their bags and begun dreaming of the summer break when Yohan Cabaye departed for Paris.

The Toon Army showed their feelings as the few left in the stadium at the end booed their team from the pitch.

“I understand the fans’ frustrations,” said Alan Pardew. “They expect good performances here and we’re just not delivering at the moment.”

The teams were evenly matched in the first half and Papiss Cisse drew a fine save from Anders Lindegaard in the 20th minute.

However, it was the visitors — heavily changed from their 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich — who took the lead in the 38th minute. Juan Mata stepped up and curled a left-foot free kick past Rob Elliott into the top right-hand corner.

The Spaniard extinguished any slim hopes of a Newcastle fightback after just five minutes of the second half.

Javier Hernandez found him with a perfectly weighted cross from the left and Mata was able to calmly pass the ball past Elliott.

United boss David Moyes was full of praise for the midfielder. “I think Juan has played really well and made us better. Now he’s coming up with the goals.”

It got worse for the home side in the 65th minute when Hernandez latched onto Shinji Kagawa’s cross for the third.

Two minutes into injury time Mata found substitute Adnan Januzaj with a delightful backheel and the teenager finished off a dominant performance in style.