Man Utd vs Newcastle Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from Wednesday’s disappointing defeat to Everton.

The champions slipped further behind in the Premier League title race with a 1-0 loss in midweek and now head into the weekend action sitting 12 points off leaders Arsenal.

David Moyes now finds himself under more pressure after taking just two points from their last three games, so victory over the Geordies this weekend will be vital in keeping alive any realistic hopes of retaining their trophy.

Newcastle on the other hand arrive at Old Trafford in decent form with a four-game unbeaten run seeing Alan Pardew’s men climb above United in the table last Sunday. However, a 3-0 thrashing by Swansea in midweek halted their progress so Pardew will be keen to get back on track this weekend.

In order to do so, the visitors will have to end a dismal run that’s seen them fail to register a single victory in any of their previous 29 visits – losing 21 and drawing 8.

Team News

United are sweating on the fitness of striker Robin van Persie with Moyes hinting the Dutchman is set to miss out again because of a niggling groin injury that’s seen him miss the last three games.

Wayne Rooney is also suspended having picked up his fifth booking of the season last time out, so the burden may fall on Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck to lead the attack this weekend.

Phil Jones is expected to return in midfield having missed the Everton clash through suspension, and he could be joined by Tom Cleverley in the middle of the park with Marouane Fellaini continuing to struggle for form.

Chris Smalling may revert to right-back with Jonny Evans returning in the centre of defence while Adnan Januzaj and Nani are also pushing for recalls in attack.

Newcastle will hand a late fitness check to striker Papiss Cisse after the Senegal international missed Wednesday’s defeat to Swansea with a heel problem.

Hatem Ben Arfa also missed the trip to the Liberty through illness but he’s back in the squad tomorrow.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Javier Hernandez: All eyes will be on the Mexican to deliver the goals if RVP is ruled out and the visitors will have to keep a close eye on him as he’s usually deadly inside the area.

Predicted Score

Man Utd 2-1 Newcastle: United have been inconsistent at best this season but we can see them edging this game to get back to winning ways.

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