2. Papiss Cisse vs Wayne Rooney
For all the talk of bad form and fractious relationship with Alan Pardew, Papiss Cisse has still scored 11 league goals, which is more than what any of United’s strikers. His goalscoring record is all the more impressive, when you consider that he has started just nine league games this season. Amidst all the controversy surrounding his and Newcastle’s form early in the season, the Senegalese striker has continued to do what he does best, score goals. And the Magpies will certainly need him to do that as they take on the Premier League’s third-best defence.
At the other end, Wayne Rooney will be tasked with the responsibility of scoring the goals for United, which he has certianly done since his switch back to a more traditional role, up front. While the Englishman can certianly do a solid job in central midfield, his attacking threat is non-existent in that position and injuries have finally forced Van Gaal’s hand. So far at least, it has been a blessing in disguise as the striker has got his goal scoring mojo back and will be looking to leapfrog Robin Van Persie as the side’s leading goalscorer with a goal on Wednesday.