After a spirited performance against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarter finals of the Champions League in midweek, Manchester United now travel to the Sports Direct Arena to avenge on their 0-1 reversal at the hands of Newcastle earlier in the season. The Toons are currently on a downward spiral having lost both their previous matches heavily and stand at 9th in the table 8 points behind the Red Devils.

Alan Pardew’s men need to regroup to take on David Moyes’ rejuvenated United on Saturday. What will be the Scot’s strongest lineup at Tyneside keeping in mind the second leg at the Allianz Arena next week? We here at Soccersouls have the answers for our readers.

Manchester United Lineup

Goalkeeper:

David De Gea will start in goal for the Red Devils after an impressive show against Bayern in the weekend. The Spaniard made a couple of bright saves to keep the Bavarians at bay and was equally good at coming out from his line and grabbing crosses from the flanks. De Gea’s distribution was impeccable on the night and he will fancy a clean sheet against the Toons who have only managed to score five times in their last eight Premier League encounters.

Defenders:

It was an old fashioned, similar to a retro British performance by the United defence in midweek as they soaked up pressure and kept their team in the tie going to the second leg at the Allianz Arena. Rafael is expected to be featured on the right back slot after missing out in midweek, while Alexander Buttner should be back on the bench as Patrice Evra is available. Rio Ferdinand might not be risked again with back to back games in four days as Phil Jones shift to the centre to aid Serbian Nemanja Vidic at the heart of the defense. If United can put out a disciplined performance against the Newcastle frontline, they are more or less guaranteed to return with full points in their kitty.

Midfield:

Micheal Carrick turned on a man of the match performance against Bayern and should again start in the holding role, more like an anchorman in the middle and helping him would be Darren Fletcher alongside. After Marouane Fellaini’s shocker of a game in midweek, the Belgian should be relegated to the bench.

Elsewhere, Juan Mata will return to the side having sat out against Bayern Munich and take his favoured role behind Wayne Rooney. Antonio Valencia will start on the right for the Red Devils while either of Adnan Januzaj or Shinji Kagawa taking the left wing role. Ryan Giggs is certainly out of clash through injury while

Strikeforce:

Wayne Rooney should lead the line up front in the absence of Robin Van Persie.