Twitter Reacts as Newcastle Recover to Draw 3-3 vs. Manchester United

Manchester United made the trip north-east on Tuesday evening to face Newcastle United at St James' Park in a Premier League clash vital to both sides.

The Red Devils, apparently the dullest team in the land, were looking to draw level with Tottenham in fourth place, while Newcastle could hop out of the relegation places with three points of their own.

The Magpies hogged the headlines in the build-up by announcing the signing of Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea City in the hours leading up to kick-off.

The usual punchlines followed...

Though Louis van Gaal's side were subject to a few predictable jokes themselves...

"

My challenge tonight is staying awake watching United v Newcastle

— Kieran Mc Dermott (@KieranMcD77) January 12, 2016"

They proved the doubters wrong when Wayne Rooney scored from the spot after just eight minutes...

Though there were more than a few questions over whether referee Mike Dean was right to award a penalty for handball...

There were some, however, who went in to bat for the man in the middle...

Rooney and Georgino Wijnaldum traded chances in a first half with more excitement than most spectators had bothered to anticipate.

The home fans' frustration worsened when they were denied what looked a clear penalty after half an hour when Daryl Janmaat was hauled down in the area by Jesse Lingard...

"

Clear penalty at the other end. Unfortunately he doesn't have a red shirt on! #NUFCMUFC

— George Bell (@GeorgeBell93) January 12, 2016"

...and the mood was even more tense when Rooney teed up a guilty-looking Lingard for the visitors' second five minutes later...

But before Manchester United fans could even consider the possibility of getting carried away, Wijnaldum popped up to volley home moments later and halve the deficit...

That was how it stayed at the break, but Lingard ought to have restored his side's two-goal advantage when played in by Ander Herrera, prompting some movement from his boss on the visiting bench...

The Dutchman would only get angrier after 67 minutes when Chris Smalling was penalised for his role in a wrestle with Aleksandar Mitrovic in the area. The Serbian stepped up to convert from 12 yards and place more pressure on Van Gaal...

All of a sudden we had a thriller on our hands...

"

It's as if the mere signing of Jonjo Shelvey has inspired Newcastle to become a team of 11 Jonjo Shelveys

— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) January 12, 2016"

And with a little over 10 minutes to go, Rooney fired home a brilliant goal to edge Manchester United in front again.

But even that joy was shortlived, with Paul Dummett's deflected strike in the 90th minute pinching a point for the home side...

It was more dropped points for Van Gaal's side, who ought to have put the game to bed with second-half chances for Lingard and Fellaini.

But at least nobody could blame the manager this time...

"

Ridiculous, cannot blame lvg for this, wasteful up front and calamity defending at the back ! We asked for entertaining...

— MUFC RED KNIGHT (@MUFCRedKnight) January 12, 2016"

Next up for the Red Devils is Liverpool on Sunday, while Newcastle must prepare for a match with West Ham on Saturday.

[Twitter]