3 Head-To-Head Battles That Will Decide Man Utd Vs Newcastle United

3. CENTRE-BACK - Chris Smalling (MUFC) Vs Fabricio Coloccini (NUFC)

If you'd asked most Manchester United fans 12 months ago who would be playing regularly at centre-back for the Red Devils in the Premier League a year later, very few would have told you Chris Smalling. Yet the England international has been a key member of Louis van Gaal's back four. Fabricio Coloccini, meanwhile, remains at the heart of Newcastle's defence after committing himself to the club and being confirmed as Steve McClaren's Magpies captain going forward. The Argentine's performance is likely to be key if NUFC are going to get anything from this game. Comparing the Toon skipper to Smalling, last season the Manchester United centre-back made 25 appearances (21 as a starter, four off the bench) and scored an impressive four goals from defence, but failed to provide an assist. Coloccini on the other hand played on 32 occasions (all as a starter) and scored just once away at West Bromwich Albion, and he too failed to provide any assists for his side.

Moving into the defensive statistics though, which are more important for this comparison, and it appears as if Smalling and Coloccini have different strengths and weaknesses. While Smalling leads the way in terms of aerials duels won per game (2.8 to 1.8), interceptions per fixture (2.3 to 22) and clearances per match (6.2 to 5.3), Coloccini makes more tackles on average (1.9 to 1.4) and gives away fewer fouls (0.4 to 1.0). One key difference, however, is that Smalling has a strong back-four unit alongside him - Coloccini's defensive teammates are short of confidence, and there will be no Daryl Janmaat in the side following his dismissal last weekend against Swansea City. Verdict: Chris Smalling Fabricio Coloccini is just not the player of old right now and his inability to be dominant in the air could really cost the Magpies, particularly if Marouane Fellaini starts the game. Smalling has really improved under Louis van Gaal and will likely help his side to a fourth-successive Premier League clean sheet.