Portuguese referee Antonio Costa wasted little time in showing Butt the red card and also dismissed Suan for a second bookable offence and now the former Manchester United star will wait to hear his fate, although United are expecting the worst.

Butt will receive an automatic one-match ban for his sending-off but UEFA’s disciplinary chiefs have the discretion to increase that to either two or three games depending on their view of the severity of his misdemeanour.

“At the moment, we’re still awaiting the referee’s report before a decision is taken on any further action,” a UEFA spokesman said today.

Butt will have a chance to redeem himself on Sunday when United head for Southampton looking for a second successive Barclays Premiership victory.

However, last night’s two-goal hero may have to wait for his next chance to impress.

Patrick Kluivert was handed his second start for the club as manager Graeme Souness rested Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy, and later hinted both could return at the St Mary’s Stadium.

Kluivert did his chances of persuading Souness to alter his plans little harm with two good finishes in an excellent all-round display which reminded the Tyneside public of his undoubted quality, and he admitted the opportunity to prove himself once again was too good to pass up.

“I was happy with the two goals and I’m happy to have three in two starts now,” he said.

“It’s much easier to start the game than come off the bench, and it gives you confidence as a striker when you score goals.

“It was good for me to get the chance to play and good to score. The manager now has a decision to make on Sunday, but it is good for him to have four strikers who are in good form.”

Kluivert’s match-winning contribution came as no surprise to Souness, who paired him in attack with the less effective Shola Ameobi, and he was delighted with his response.

“He’s a super player and he has been for the last 10 years,” he said. “It’s just great to see him doing it in a black and white shirt.

“Has he given me a headache? Not as such. I rested Alan and Craig for different reasons, but what this has done is put pressure on them, and it’s great to have that kind of quality around the place.”

Kluivert’s double put United in the driving seat for the return trip to Israel, although there is still work to be done when they head for Tel Aviv a week on Thursday with Sakhnin still in the tie.

The Dutchman, however, knows the platform to progress is there and was satisfied with the result despite hopes that the tie could be killed off on the night.

“The most important thing for us last night was to get the win, and we did that,” he said.

“In games like that, it is not important who gets the goals as long as we have a lead to take into the second leg.

“It was a tough, physical match with some hard challenges from their defenders, but we’re confident we can go through.”

Meanwhile, John Carver, the man who masterminded United’s first victory of the season against Blackburn last weekend, is to stay with the club after accepting the post of Academy director.

Carver was relieved of his duties as first-team coach when Souness brought in his own backroom staff last weekend, but was offered a new job and will take over on September 27.

But the Magpies are now looking for a new goalkeeping coach after Simon Smith tendered his resignation yesterday.