When and Where: Wednesday, March 04 / St James Park, UK7:45 p.m. BST / 01:15 a.m. IST
Wayne Rooney will come up against his favorite opponent when Manchester United visit St James’ Park to face Newcastle United tonight. Rooney who ended premier league goal drought by bagging a brace against Sunderland last week, will be eager to come up against the hosts, having netted 12 Premier League goals against the Magpies.
Manager Louis van Gaal knows his side must finish in the top 4 this year or else it’ll be another year without European football. Red Devils currently find themselves clinging on to the 4th and final Champions league spot and any more slip-ups will be seized upon by a chasing pack that is becoming ever more threatening, especially when fierce rivals Liverpool are only 2 points behind and very much the team in form, in the league.
For John Carver, it’s another game to prove Mike Ashley, that he is very much the man to take Newcastle United forward. Any upset tonight and the interim manager will make giant strides towards securing top job at St James’ Park. Magpies will be hoping to go within one point to the top half of the table, if their result and results elsewhere go in their favor tonight.
Team News:
Newcastle will be without a number of first-team players for this clash, with Rob Elliot, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Jack Colback, Cheick Tiote and Siem de Jong all unavailable because of either injury or suspension.
Ryan Taylor is set to mark his own return from injury by replacing Haidara in the starting line-up while Remy Cabella (knee), Rolando Aarons (hamstring) and Robbie Elliott (thigh) are all set to resume training next week.
As for Manchester United, they have doubts over Victor Valdes (knock), Phil Jones (illness), while Robin van Persie will be unavailable due to ankle injury sustained two weeks ago. England international Luke Shaw is expected to be fit and will likely replace Jonny Evans’ in the starting line-up.
Possible Starting XI:
Newcastle United: Tim Krul; Daryl Janmaat, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Michael Williamson; Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Moussa Sissoko, Ayoze Pérez; Papiss Demba Cissé, Sammy Ameobi
Manchester United: David de Gea; Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw; Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Adnan Januzaj, Ashley Young; Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney
Managerial Quotes:
John Carver
"Everyone's making a big thing of Papiss' knee but his physical stats for Saturday along were the best they've been for a long long time. Not just his goal but his workrate showed he doesn't have any issues with his knee. He puts people under pressure, works for the team and scores goals which is a reward for his hard work. The issue isn't a problem if he can run around like he did on Saturday, especially when you see his goal ratio, 84 minutes per goal. Long may that continue."
Louis van Gaal
"They always play with a very high rhythm, they want to give a lot of energy and the fans are supporting a lot. They want to play football – I like that. I hope it shall be a good game and we shall win."
Stats:
Wayne Rooney has netted 12 Premier League goals against the Magpies; a joint-high against any opponent along with Aston Villa.
Newcastle have won just two of their last 24 Premier League matches against Man Utd (W2 D5 L17).
Manchester United have lost just two of their last 17 Premier League matches (W11 D4 L2).
Last Meeting:
Premier League 2014-15 (December 26, 2014), Old Trafford
Manchester United 3 (Wayne Rooney 2, Robin van Persie 1) – Newcastle United 1 (Papiss Demba Cisse)
Prediction:
Writer’s Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester United
Wild Card: Juan Mata; while terminology may not be correct for such a creative force like Mata, the spaniard knows how to unlock defences and may be used off the bench. He has scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances at St James Park.
Source: DSG
