Date: Saturday, December 7 Venue: Old Trafford Kick-Off: 12:45 Can Manchester United get their flagging title defence back on the road when Newcastle pay a visit to Old Trafford in the Premier League in the early Saturday kick-off?
Team News
Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney on Saturday as the England international serves a one-game ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the defeat to Everton. Robin van Persie has a chance of returning from a groin injury, and Phil Jones is available again after serving a one-match ban. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew may make changes after watching his side go down 3-0 to Swansea on Wednesday. Papiss Cisse will be given a fitness test ahead of kick-off after struggling with a heel injury but Hatem Ben Arfa is expected to play after recovering from illness. (bbc)
Key Stats
Newcastle have only won one of their last 23 matches against Manchester United in all competitions - a 3-0 Premier League home victory in January 2012. United have now failed to score in two Premier League home games in the same season for the first time since 2006-07. The Magpies haven't beaten United at Old Trafford since 1972, when goals from John Tudor and Stewart Barrowclough gave the Magpies their one and only success since 1950. The Red Devils have conceded more goals than any other club in the top half of the table - bar Newcastle.
Likely Line-Ups
Man Utd De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Cleverley, Jones, Januzaj, Kagawa, Hernandez Newcastle Krul, Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Debuchy, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Gouffran, Remy
Match Preview
Everton's shock win at Old Trafford on Wednesday was historic - their first there since 1992 - but Newcastle could put even that in the shade if they emerge victorious on Saturday. As rare as the Toffee's win over United was, Newcastle's would be rarer - they haven't won at the Theatre of Dreams since 1972, and that was only their first since 1950. That's how momentous another United defeat would be this weekend - and we haven't even touched on the ramifications that would have on the title race. The Red Devils are 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal and the same number of points above the relegation zone - another loss here and their title defence is done and dusted before Christmas. However, Newcastle aren't exactly in a rich vein of form themselves going into this game - their 3-0 defeat to Swansea midweek brought the Magpies back down to earth after a run of four straight wins, a record which earned manager Alan Pardew the manager of the month award. For all his criticisms, Pardew has done a great job at St James' Park this season and that his side are currently above United in the table tells you that. The north East club have also earned the scalps of Tottenham and Chelsea this season and will be looking for another here. I'm still going for a United win though - they simply have to. Prediction: 2-1
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
