The Magpies put themselves back in touch with the European race thanks to a wonder goal from William Osula but that was only half the story
William Osula of Newcastle United scores against Man United
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Newcastle United had Bruno Fernandes sulking as he left the field after William Osula's late, late show ended the Magpies' horror run in the Premier League.
Osula's heroics took any heat that was on Eddie Howe firmly off and put Newcastle back in touch with the European race. They still have work to do but this was a stunning reminder of how good they can be.
Here they rose above some outrageously bad referee calls from Peter Bankes that had St James' Park up in arms but after Jacob Ramsey was sent off for a dive, the 10 men held on to save their season in the top-flight.
The Magpies made an encouraging enough start to the game with Kieran Trippier's dink from the right clipping the goal frame before Lewis Hall blazed over the rebound with just three minutes gone. Man United responded three minutes later after a promising move down the left, but Matheus Cunha's effort was high and wide at the Gallowgate End after Bruno Fernandes slipped him in.
On 12 minutes, Newcastle threatened after a Lewis Hall throw-in before Sandro Tonali helped the ball into Anthony Elanga's path, before he sent one wide. Moments later, Anthony Gordon flicked the ball into the path of Harvey Barnes, who again had a narrow miss.
The game remained 0-0 as we drifted past the 20-minute mark but Tonali had Senne Lammens on red alert when he whistled an effort inches wide with a shot from outside the box. Benjamin Sesko got a glimpse of goal after good work from Cunha but after his first attempt was blocked he then fouled Tonali.
Jacob Ramsey went into the book for a pull on Casemiro after Elanga had been easily brushed off the ball but would be a decisive moment in the game. Cunha won a free-kick on 32 minutes after bouncing off Malick Thiaw.
It offered Man United a chance from 25-yards with Bruno Fernandes spotting it up and setting his eyes on the target. But his clipped ball in was headed clear by Thiaw.
The wasted moment for the visitors allowed Newcastle to break with Joelinton, eventually bundling his way towards goal, but he smashed it high into the Leazes End.
A spate of bookings followed just before half-time, with Bryan Mbeumo and Luke Shaw cautioned for the Red Devils, and Joelinton joining them in the book. Joelinton had to be restrained by Tonali as he sarcastically applauded the Lancashire referee, Bankes.
Kobbie Mainoo registered the first shot on target with just three first-half minutes left, but his curling effort was excellently palmed away by Aaron Ramsdale. The recalled goalkeeper then kept out another low effort with the ball falling for Mbeumo, but he missed from a couple of yards out with the goal yawning in front of him.
The half ended with fireworks as Ramsey was sent off for a second yellow card after Bankes deemed he'd dived after contact from Lammens. There was astonishment around St James' Park as he was ordered off for an early bath but that was nothing for the way first half stoppage time exploded into life.
First Fernandes clipped Anthony Gordon in the box with Bankes eventually pointing to the spot. The Scouser stepped up and sent Lammens the wrong way to give the 10 men the lead in the 51st minute of the first half.
After just three minutes of added had been displayed, you'd think that it was time for a breather. But Bankes played on and on with Hall conceding a free-kick. In the ninth minute of added time, Fernandes crossed from the right with Casemiro heading past Ramsdale to make it 1-1.
Bankes was roundly booed as he left the field for the break with some fans held back near the dugout. Joelinton was also furious with comments from the Man United players and also needed to be restrained once again.
Newcastle made a change at half-time with Joe Willock replacing Barnes for a second half change. Short-handed Newcastle started the second half probing for a second goal with Gordon aiming a low shot straight at Lemmens.
The visitors made a double change when Diogo Dalot and Manuel Ugarte were sent on for Casemiro and Shaw. The Magpies earned a free-kick near the edge of the box when Elanga was fouled by Noussair Mazraoui.
Tonali's teasing ball in with 25 minutes left was frantically cleared by Dalot and Newcastle won a corner. A penalty check also went through without Bankes awarding a second spot-kick after Mainoo brushed the ball with his chest, and the resultant corner from Tonali was then poked wide by Gordon.
Joshua Zirkee replaced Mbeumo with 17 minutes left as Man United started to try to lock in three points. With 15 minutes left Ramsdale was on hand to make a superb block to deny Leny Yoro after Fernandes' cross. Manchester United made another change as Amad Diallo replaced Mainoo.
Trippier was booked with 11 minutes left as Cunha went down easily, much to the frustration of the home fans. Howe's last roll of the dice saw William Osula and Jacob Murphy sent on for the final stages.
Zirkee whipped an effort in from outside the box with two minutes left but Ramsdale again made a stunning save. As time ticked down and the game went into the 90th minute Osula won the ball in his own half before laying it off to Trippier.
The full-back then sent Osula scarpering down the right-hand side before six touches, two stepovers and curling finish left Lammens with no chance. Newcastle had to hold on at the death, but the rotten run is over.
Referee: Peter Bankes (Lancashire)
Attendance: 52,184