Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Dec 7, 2013 at 12.45pm (UK)
Old Trafford
After a shocking home defeat at the hands of Everton, Manchester United will be looking to bounce back when they take on Newcastle United at home in Saturday’s early kick off encounter. David Moyes’ men are now twelve points behind League leaders Arsenal and stand at 9th in the table below Southmapton and Newcastle United. The pressure seems to be growing over Moyes and surely if things go downhill like they are now, United should well be striked off from Championship winning credentials.
On the other hand, Alan Pardew’s Newcastle United have been halted in their sublime form when Swansea City got the better of the toon army in the midweek game with a flattering 3-0 scoreline. Thus Sunday’s affair at Old Trafford brings much spice and flair for both the teams who would be looking to get back on track.
Surprisingly, Manchester United have only won three home games this season something which is surely not a hallmark of a team who are trying to defend their Championship Title. Old Trafford doesn’t seem like a Fortress now with United having lost four games already, which incredibly is one less than the whole of last season. Talking of the Magpies, they are currently seventh, a point ahead of United but as the game in midweek showed, they still have to address glaring signs of inconsistency. However if there is any time to get a result at Old Trafford, Pardew would surely be thinking, it’s now or never.
Team News:
Manchester United:
Coming to the Team news, David Moyes will be without long term injury victims Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Robin Van Persie. He will also have to make do without his talisman Wayne Rooney, who picked up a fifth booking of the season against Everton and will serve a 1 game ban. Phil Jones is available after missing the Everton game through suspension. Elsewhere Shinji Kagawa is a doubt as Moyes has confirmed that he will wait until the last moment to make a decision on the playmaker after learning that he was suffering from illness and is not well. (With Rooney out of the clash, Moyes would be hoping for Kagawa to be fit for the game, and might play him even if he is not 100%)
Newcastle:
For Newcastle, Pardew could have Hatem Ben Arfa available after illness and his only absentees are Ryan Taylor and Papiss Cisse.
Click on the next page to check out the possible starting XI and match facts: