Wayne Rooney scored a brace and provided an assist but still could not inspire Manchester United to victory on Tuesday.

The Red Devils skipper rediscovered his best form at St James' Park but was unable to guide his side to a win as they were held 3-3 by a plucky Newcastle United outfit.

Rooney opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute when Chancel Mbemba was penalised for a questionable handball before he produced a neat reverse pass for Jesse Lingard who slotted home from an angle seven minutes before the break.

Steve McClaren's side lifted their game late in the first half and managed to pull one back in the 42nd minute when Georginio Wijnaldum volleyed home Aleksandar Mitrovic's cushioned header for his eighth league goal of the season.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Mitrovic had the Gallowgate End rocking when he sent David De Gea the wrong way from 12 yards after the Serbian striker had been wrestled to the ground by Chris Smalling at a corner.

The Magpies could smell victory and began to play with confidence before Rooney put them back in their seats with a stunning finish from just outside the area to mark his seventh goal at the venue and 14th in the Premier League against the Toon.

That created a frenzied finish for the home side who were able to pocket a point at the death courtesy of left-back Paul Dummett's deflected finish in the 90th minute to deny United maximum points in a frantic affair in the north east.

The draw has Newcastle still in the relegation zone but the point could be vital as the season progresses as Louis van Gaal's United, who were certainly not boring tonight, dropped to sixth following West Ham United's win at Bournemouth.

2015/16 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE - SEASON SCORES

Newcastle United: 3 (Georginio Wijnaldum 42', Aleksandar Mitrovic (PEN) 67', Paul Dummett 90')
Manchester United: 3 (Wayne Rooney (PEN) 9'/79', Jesse Lingard 38')
St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - 49,673