Joelinton struck the woodwork twice in a positive first-half for the visitors, with the Brazilian's looping header striking the bar before his following header cannoned off the post.
The Magpies then withstood a late attacking surge from the hosts, with Fred and Marcus Rashford firing wide in the final stages, as Eddie Howe's side continued their encouraging unbeaten streak in the English top-flight whilst recording a fourth Premier League clean sheet of the 2022/23 campaign.
Howe made one change from the side which claimed an impressive 5-1 victory against Brentford at St. James' Park last week as Joelinton replaced Joe Willock in the middle of the park.
Newcastle were winless in their last five Premier League encounters against Manchester United, aiming to record a first victory at Old Trafford since December 2013.
Man United midfielder Fred created the opening goalscoring opportunity of the game as the Brazil international sliced his effort wide of the target following Bruno Fernandes' lay-off on the edge of the penalty area.
Newcastle appealed for a penalty shortly after as Callum Wilson was bundled over inside the box by Raphaël Varane after advancing beyond the French centre-back but play was allowed to continue by referee Craig Pawson to the frustration of the travelling away supporters.
After tame efforts at goal from Bruno Guimarães and Jacob Murphy, both comfortably held by Man United goalkeeper David de Gea, the Magpies went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock as Joelinton struck the bar twice with two headers in quick succession.
Following Kieran Trippier's blocked free-kick, the right-back's dinked pass was directed into the Brazilian's path, who saw his looping header strike the bar before his rebounded header struck the left-hand post before ricocheting off Diogo Dalot for a corner, which was flicked wide following another teasing cross from Trippier.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, targeting a 50th Premier League clean sheet, sprung into action towards the latter stages of the first-half, blocking Antony's low drive after neat link-up play with Jadon Sancho on the left flank.
Wilson, targeting a fourth Premier League goal in six matches, almost got the Magpies off to a flying start in the second-half but the 30-year-old striker dragged a low effort wide of the target.
Cristiano Ronaldo saw an acute effort correctly ruled out for offside before the five-time Ballon d'Or winner tapped the ball into an empty net moments later, pinching the ball from Pope after believing Fabian Schär had taken an early free-kick but the goal was also disallowed, with the Portuguese forward receiving a yellow card in the process.
Miguel Almirón, who has scored four Premier League goals for the Magpies so far this term, latched onto Trippier's corner but the Paraguayan's wild effort flashed wide of the target.
Newcastle were almost dealt a sickening blow in the final stages as Rashford beat the offside trap before racing onto a through ball and rounding Pope but, after electing to pass the ball to Fred, his first-time effort was directed narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
In the fifth minute of stoppage-time, Newcastle's hopes of a clean sheet of the 2022/23 campaign were nearly dashed as Casemiro's cross found Rashford inside the box but the England international's header towards the far post was directed inches past the post.
Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier (c), Fabian Schär (Jamaal Lascelles 90), Sven Botman, Dan Burn (Matt Targett 78), Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimarães, (Joe Willock 78) Joelinton, Miguel Almirón, Jacob Murphy (Ryan Fraser 59), Callum Wilson (Chris Wood 78).
Subs not used: Loris Karius, Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis, Jonjo Shelvey, Elliot Anderson.
