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After a shocking home defeat at the hands of Everton, Manchester United will be looking to bounce back when they take on Newcastle United at home in Saturday’s early kick off encounter. David Moyes’ men are now twelve points behind League leaders Arsenal and stand at 9th in the table below Southmapton and Newcastle United. The pressure seems to be growing over Moyes and surely if things go downhill like they are now, United should well be striked off from Championship winning credentials.
On the other hand, Alan Pardew’s Newcastle United have been halted in their sublime form when Swansea City got the better of the toon army in the midweek game with a flattering 3-0 scoreline. Thus Sunday’s affair at Old Trafford brings much spice and flair for both the teams who would be looking to get back on track.
Surprisingly, Manchester United have only won three home games this season something which is surely not a hallmark of a team who are trying to defend their Championship Title. Old Trafford doesn’t seem like a Fortress now with United having lost four games already, which incredibly is one less than the whole of last season. Talking of the Magpies, they are currently seventh, a point ahead of United but as the game in midweek showed, they still have to address glaring signs of inconsistency. However if there is any time to get a result at Old Trafford, Pardew would surely be thinking, it’s now or never.
Team News
Manchester United
Coming to the Team news, David Moyes will be without long term injury victims Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Robin Van Persie. He will also have to make do without his talisman Wayne Rooney, who picked up a fifth booking of the season against Everton and will serve a 1 game ban. Phil Jones is available after missing the Everton game through suspension. Elsewhere Shinji Kagawa is a doubt as Moyes has confirmed that he will wait until the last moment to make a decision on the playmaker after learning that he was suffering from illness and is not well. (With Rooney out of the clash, Moyes would be hoping for Kagawa to be fit for the game, and might play him even if he is not 100%)
Newcastle
For Newcastle, Pardew could have Hatem Ben Arfa available after illness and his only absentees are Ryan Taylor and Papiss Cisse.
Possible starting lineups
Man Utd: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Smalling, Evra; Valencia, Fellaini, Cleverley, Kagawa; Welbeck, Hernandez
Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Remy
Match Facts
- Man Utd have lost four Barclays Premier League games this season, only one fewer than the whole of 2012-13 (5).
- Papiss Cisse scored on both trips to Old Trafford in all competitions last season (one league, one Capital One Cup).
- Jonny Evans has scored in the last two Barclays Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Newcastle and also netted an own goal at Old Trafford in this fixture last season.
- Newcastle have won none of their last 29 league visits to Old Trafford, losing 21.
- If Van Persie does not recover from injury this will be the first time Man Utd have played a league game without both him and Wayne Rooney since the Dutchman arrived (Rooney is suspended).
- Manchester United have only won five of their last 11 Premier League home games (L4 D2).
- The Red Devils have not lost successive Premier League home games since May 2002.
- Man Utd have scored only eight goals in seven Premier League home games this season, fewer than bottom side Sunderland (9).
Stats compiled from eurosport.yahoo.com
Predictions and thoughts
There is no doubt that United will be under severe pressure to perform in front of their home faithful, with time now seeming to run out as far as winning the Premier League is concerned, but Moyes and his men have to get their act together if they hope to catch the Champions League berth. Newcastle though on the other hand, have entirely different ambitions, laboring hopes of European qualification. Given the likes and conditions of both teams, my mind says it’s going to be a high scoring 2-2 draw.
Blast from the past
