After the Tottenham debacle at home, United travel to Newcastle in what might be the match which can break or make the season for Red Devils. The football world eagerly awaits to see how the Robin and Rooney combination works out in their first start together for United against the Magpies.
Manchester United are under pressure to win after Chelsea and Manchester City posted victories on Saturday. It has been a rough ride so far for the Reds but can still maintain the pressure on league leaders if they could post a comprehensive victory over the Magpies. The Newcastle side on the other hand would want to get their season back on track after having won only two matches so far. Memories of a 3-0 victory for the Magpies would still be hurting Sir Alex, who would also want his side to come back strongly after the disappointing loss against Tottenham at home last weekend. On the positive note, the Reds have already defeated Newcastle this season in a League cup match though both the teams fielded squad players for that outing.
United must feel confident after their hard fought victory over the Romanian club CFR Cluj in the mid week and with the international break coming up Sir Alex is expected to put out a full strength squad in this must win game. Newcastle on the other hand have a squad of quality players like Cabaye, Ba, Ben Arfa, Cisse and Tiote who are sure to trouble the United defence which has been struggling so far this season. Speaking of defence, United are expected to have Smalling fit for the match but is expected to be on the bench and Evans who suffered a dead leg in the mid week game is expected to pass fitness for the sunday night showdown.
The talking point of the weekend would be the Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney combination which might just be the magic United have been hoping to have so far this season. Their first start together might be a goal fest or a failure of massive proportions which would end United’s hopes for silverware this season. The possibility of a failure is pretty low especially after they combined well in the mid week victory in the Champions league.
Newcastle would be hoping to target Evra with Hatem Ben Arfa running at the defender who has been the weakest link for United so far this season. Still he seems to be having a lot of trust from Sir Alex but it is not long before we see the impressive Alex Buttner take the left back position for United on regular basis. Similarly Nani has been poor this season and with Valencia on the verge of regaining fitness this might be his last chance to impress if he gets selected in the first team. United’s midfield has been overrun by almost every opponent of United this season so far and it is expected to remain the same against Newcastle unless Fergie gets his combination right. Fletcher’s return and performance mid week would be a major boost for United fans who have voiced out recently about United’s poor midfield performances.
Possible lineups
Manchester United
Anders Lindegaard, Rafael Da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Johnny Evans, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Paul Scholes, Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie.
Newcastle United
Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, James Perch, Davide Santon, Yohan Cabaye, Chieck Tiote, Hatem Ben Arfa, Jonas Gutierrez, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse.
Score Prediction
Manchester United 2 – 0 Newcastle United
United are usually a strong side after a defeat and will understand the importance of this game. Sir Alex would have prepared his troops for this match and United would fire on all cylinders with Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney scoring a goal each in a exciting encounter. Newcastle can never be counted out but the possibility of United losing again is unimaginable.