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

Manchester United take on Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon at St James’ Park looking to keep alive their slim hopes of finishing in the top four this season.

United head into the game sitting seventh in the Premier League table and a full ten-points off fourth-placed Arsenal so they can’t afford any more slip-ups if they want to guarantee qualification to the Champions League again next season.

With a top-four finish looking unlikely, United’s only hope may be to win the competition outright this year and they still have a chance of doing so after holding reigning champions Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

It was a much-improved display by the Red Devils and David Moyes will be wondering why his side haven’t been showing that kind of grit and determination more often this season. They still have it all to do in the second leg but at least they’ve given themselves a chance, which is more than some people thought they’d have heading to the Allianz.

The Bayern draw followed a 4-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend so Moyes will be hoping to continue their mini-revival with another victory at St James’ Park.

They will face a Newcastle side that has won just four of their last 14 games in all competitions since the turn of the year and lost 4-0 to Southampton last weekend, but Alan Pardew’s men will take great heart from the fact they won the reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

Team News

The Geordies have been dealt an injury blow with midfielder Moussa Sissoko ruled out for up to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul is still missing with a shoulder injury but could be back to face Stoke next weekend, while right-back Mathieu Debuchy remains out with a groin strain. Influential striker Loic Remy has made improvements in recent weeks as he continues to recover from a calf problem, but this fixture will come too soon.

United welcome back Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling into the squad. The duo have been nursing calf and hamstring injuries in recent weeks but returned to training this week and will be in contention. With Rafael expected to once again miss out with the same injury that saw him skip the Bayern game, Smalling could come in at right-back allowing Jones to move into the middle alongside Nemanja Vidic.

Moyes confirmed earlier today that Ryan Giggs is doubtful for the game while Alex Buttner is expected to miss out after being forced off during the final stages in midweek. Patrice Evra is set to return to the side having been suspended in Europe, but Robin van Persie remains out with a knee injury.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Wayne Rooney: The visitors will be looking to Rooney to provide the goal threat with RVP on the sidelines and Newcastle are certainly going to have to keep him quiet if they want to take anything from the game.

Predicted Score

Newcastle 1-2 Man Utd: Despite their lowly league position, United have an excellent away record this season while Newcastle have lost six of their last eight at home, so we can see United edging this one.

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