Manchester United vs Newcastle United: 3 Key Duels That Will Decide The Game

Manchester United vs Newcastle United

Manchester United’s six-game winning run ended with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday and the Red Devils will be looking to bounce back on Friday with a win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford. Although the Magpies won the corresponding fixture last season, they have won just twice in their last 25 meetings with United in all competitions.

Although United’s injury crisis doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon, the visitors have injury problems of their own. The Red Devils will be looking to strengthen their grip on third place in what promises to be an exciting clash on Boxing Day. Here are the three key battles that will decide the outcome of this game.

1. Ayoze Perez vs Michael Carrick

Last season’s top scorer in the Spanish second division, Ayoze Perez has provided the Magpies with some much needed pace up front. While he struggled at the start, to get to grips with the physicality of the Premier League, the Spanish striker is slowly starting to show just why he can be the club’s top scorer this time around. Although he doesn’t always bring his teammates into play and has to work on holding onto the ball, his pace and dribbling ability means that he is a menace to any defense, more so to one that is severely depleted  by injury.

The man tasked with the responsibility of marking him will be Michael Carrick. Since his return to fitness, United have looked a lot more composed on the ball and although he hasn’t always played in central midfield, he has shown that he is more than capable central defender. But Perez’s pace might provide a threat that he hasn’t faced so far and one that he might struggle to overcome if he doesn’t get support from his teammates.

2. United’s strikers vs Newcastle’s centre backs

When Radamel Falcao was signed on loan, many expected great things from the Colombian striker. But the 28-year-old has struggled to regain his full fitness and netted only his second goal against Aston Villa. But that goal showed what he brings to the table and his link-up with Robin Van Persie at the start of the season showed signs that the pair can become a lethal strike partnership.

Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor will have the arduous task of ensuring that the pair don’t click into gear on Friday. The duo have been the mainstay of the Magpies defense for the past 18 months, but injuries have meant that they haven’t had as much opportunity to play together this season. But the pair will have to be on their mark if they are to keep United’s strikers quite. Although neither Falcao and Van Persie have the pace to get in behind the visitors defense, they are two of the most lethal finishers in the Premier League. The center backs have to be on guard if they want to repeat last season’s win at Old Trafford.

3. Wayne Rooney vs Moussa Sissoko

Friday’s clash at Old Trafford will see two players playing in positions they wouldn’t otherwise occupy if everyone is fit. But such is the injury crisis at both clubs, that two of their most creative players in Moussa Sissoko and Wayne Rooney will have to start in central midfield.

Cheik Tiote’s suspension means that Sissoko, who has so far been given the license to roam free will be asked to sit alongside Jack Colback and suppress his natural instinct to go forward at every opportunity. Injuries to Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind and Ander Herrera means that Rooney will have to continue to deputize in central midfield against the Magpies. Although both players can do a job there, neither are established in that position and whoever does a better job will go a long way towards decided which way the game goes.