Manchester Utd vs Newcastle Utd Preview, Stats, probable lineups and prediction

All in all, this has been a good week for David Moyes and Manchester United. Last Saturday’s victory against Aston Villa - comfortable in the end, though they did go 1-0 down - preceded Tuesday night’s spirited 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich. Moyes’ men were impressive against the European champions at Old Trafford, producing a disciplined performance brimming with character in which they repelled attacks, closed down space and battled determinedly.




Manchester United held Bayern Munich in midweek and will fancy their chances of following that up with a win at injury-hit Newcastle United.

Defending champions Bayern dominated Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, but Nemanja Vidic's header 13 minutes into the second half gave United a shock lead.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's clinical finish nine minutes later ensured the Bavarian giants secured a 1-1 draw, but a spirited display from United - who had been widely tipped to be beaten comfortably - gave manager David Moyes heart.

Moyes vowed to go "toe-to-toe" with the Bundesliga champions in the second leg at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday, but he must first turn his attention to Saturday's Premier League trip to St James' Park.

Champions League football may now be beyond the grasp of Saturday’s visitors - unless they knock Bayern out and go on to win the competition – but a win at St James’ Park would at least move them closer to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, who currently occupy the Europa League places.

United suffered a 1-0 defeat against Alan Pardew's side at Old Trafford back in December to pile more pressure on Moyes, after his former club Everton had consigned them to another home loss three days earlier.

But the Premier League champions will be up against a very different Newcastle side to the one that gave the north-east club their first win at United since 1972.

Match-winner Yohan Cabaye moved on to Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, while Pardew this week bemoaned an injury crisis that has hit the club.

Newcastle’s season has petered out somewhat in 2014, but they should still be able to claim a top-half finish. Alan Pardew’s side have lost three of their last four in the league - scoring only once during that period. That run of form has coincided with Loic Remy’s calf injury, and Saturday’s fixture may come to soon for the Magpies’ leading scorer. Tim Krul, Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko may miss out too. Pardew himself is still banned from the touchline so John Carver will continue to deputise in his absence.

A 4-0 hammering at his former club Southampton last Saturday inflicted more woe on Pardew, who will have to watch from the stands once again as he continues to serve a touchline ban for headbutting Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

And the Newcastle manager knows his side could be up against it once again this weekend.
He said: "It's difficult because Man United have had a little upsurge.

"They were terrific against Munich and will bring that bounce to our place.
"We're coming off a very poor performance.

"Everything points to them being favourites to win this game, but we have to prove that wrong."
While United have endured some miserable results at Old Trafford, they have a good record on their travels in the top flight this season.

No side can boast more league victories on the road in the this term than United's total of nine and they have come out on top in their last three away games without conceding a goal.

Left-back Patrice Evra will be back in contention after sitting out the clash with Bayern due to suspension, but Ryan Giggs (groin) and Rafael da Silva (hamstring) could miss out.
Robin van Persie (knee) will definitely not feature, but Moyes will be hoping Jonny Evans (calf) and Chris Smalling (hamstring) are available to return.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Manchester United 0 Newcastle United 1 (Cabaye), Premier League, December 2013

Manchester United 4 (Evans, Evra, Van Persie, Hernandez) Newcastle United 3 (Perch, Evans og, Cisse), Premier League, December 2013

Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 3 (Evans, Evra, Cleverley), Premier League, October 2012

STATS:

Manchester United have the best away record in the Premier League (P16, W9, D3, L4)

Wayne Rooney has scored 10 Premier League goals against Newcastle - he has only netted more against one team (Aston Villa)

Manchester United have won more than half (80) of the 158 games between the teams

Since the beginning of 2000, matches between Newcastle and Manchester United have produced 53 goals - an average of 3.78 per game

Newcastle have lost five of their last seven at home in the league

Here are the top scorers from the two teams in the Premier League  this season:

Name	Team	Pos	Goals	Apps	Mins
Wayne Rooney	Man Utd	FW	15	27	2,268
Loïc Remy	Newcastle	FW	13	23	1,873
Robin van Persie	Man Utd	FW	11	18	1,466
Danny Welbeck	Man Utd	FW	9	21	1,271
Yohan Cabaye	Newcastle	MF	7	19	1,509
Yoan Gouffran	Newcastle	FW	6	29	2,118

Their average possession statistics:

Name	Possession Percentage	Played
Manchester United	54.84	32
Newcastle United	49.75	32

And the amount of clean sheets the two sides have kept:

Name	Clean Sheet	Played
Manchester United	11	32
Newcastle United	9	32

5 players to watch

Loic Remy - The home side are said to be sweating on the fitness of their top scorer, but they could do with him being available for this weekend's game against a weakened Man Utd back line. If Remy is fit enough to start he could cause some real problems with his pace and movement. The question is whether he can get in amongst the goals?

Nemanja Vidic - As there is seemingly a shortage of defenders in the reigning champions' squad at the moment, the visitors could do with a strong performance from Vidic - a lot like the one in midweek against Bayern Munich. Despite Newcastle's form, it promises to be a difficult test for the Serbian and the rest of the visiting defence.

Hatem Ben Arfa - Ben Arfa is one of the Newcastle players that can come up with something out of nothing by weaving away from players, creating a bit of space and either providing or scoring a goal. If he is given the time and space on the ball, he can hurt many sides.

Juan Mata - Mata should be one of the freshest members of the Man United squad since he's cup-tied in European competition. Having won a penalty last weekend, and scoring his first goal since joining the club, Manchester United fans will be hoping to see a lot more of the Juan Mata that made the club part with £37m for him.

Vurnon Anita - As always, the home side will look to get the upper hand in the middle of the park and Anita could be key if Newcastle are going to stamp their authority on the game. He will look to break up the play and ensure his side has good control of possession, and not allow the visitors to get settled. 

Earlier on in the season

Manchester United 0-1 Newcastle United, December 2013

Probable lineups

Newcastle: Elliot; Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Tiote, Anita, Gouffran; Ben Arfa; De Jong, Cisse

Man United: De Gea; Valencia, Vidic, Jones, Evra;  Carrick, Fletcher, Januzaj; Mata; Rooney

Manchester United Live predicts a 2-0 win for Man Utd

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— Manchester United (@ManUtdRed_Devil) April 4, 2014

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