Old Trafford, Manchester
Wednesday 26th December 2012 – KO 15:00
Referee: Mike Dean; Assistants: J Collin, J Brooks; Fourth Official: N Swarbrick
Manchester United play Newcastle United at Old Trafford tomorrow in a match that three points are needed. United drew in Swansea in a match that made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. United have beaten Newcastle United twice this season in the Barclays Premier League and the Capital One Cup. Last season Newcastle beat United 3-0 at St James Park, which was a shock.Newcastle are not playing to their abilities at the moment and have some injuries to their squad with Yohan Cabaye being one of their major players. In January they are likely to lose a few players for the African Cup of nations, which could cause them to struggle once again. Striker Demba Ba could also leave the club for good, if you believe the speculation surrounding the player.
Alan Pardew will want revenge for the 3-0 defeat earlier in the season, which is one of only three clean sheets in the Barclays Premier League this season. This match will be tough for United who now play three matches within the next seven days with the FA Cup time against West Ham United coming four days after the New Years Day clash at Wigan.
This is the match that our three MUFCLatest.com competition winners Jack Eskins, Karl Henderson and Robert Bennett will be at. We hope you all have a great time!!
What the Boss says:
“This time of year, all the games are challenges and they come thick and fast now up to the cup tie on 5 January. Utilising the squad will be important, as will picking the right team, but hopefully we can get through it and be in the same position as we are now.” – Sir Alex Ferguson
Players to watch:
Michael Carrick: He has been the midfield general for United so far this season. He does not get the credit he deserves and when he doesn’t play, United suffer. You only need to see the match against Sunderland when he was substituted at half time. United were not controlling the game, which Carrick can so. He is the key to United’s midfield right now.
Demba Ba: The Senegalese striker has been the man to watch for Newcastle this season. He has been scoring for fun recently. If it is true about him leaving in January, Newcastle may struggle unless they find an adequate replacement. Ba is a predatory striker and knows where to be when crosses are coming in the oppositions box. United will need to stop him getting the space he needs to find the back of the net.
Manchester United Statistics:
Based on Barclays Premier League 2012/13 [statistics taken from the Official Barclays Premier League website]
Played 18 matches, won 14, drawn 1, lost 3 and currently have 43 points
Scored 42 goals (2.44 goals per match) & conceded 25 goals (1.39 goals per match) – 5 were pens
Longest unbeaten streak is 6 match so far
Clean sheet record 17%
Attacking: 261 shots, 207 crosses and 39 offside rulings
Defending: 96 saves were made, 3 own goals, 3 clean sheets, 53 blocks and 135 clearances
Disciplinary: 171 fouls (9.50 fouls per match), 30 cards
Newcastle United Statistics:
Based on Barclays Premier League 2012/13 [statistics taken from the Official Barclays Premier League website]
Played 18 matches, won 5, drawn 5, lost 8 and currently have 20 points
Scored 20 goals (1.11 goal per match) & conceded 26 goals (1.44 goals per match) – 3 were pens
Longest unbeaten streak is 4 match
Clean sheet record 17%
Attacking: 238 shots, 223 crosses and 32 offside rulings
Defending: 107 saves were made, 1 own goals, 3 clean sheets, 44 blocks and 127 clearances
Disciplinary: 198 fouls (11 fouls per match), 37 cards
Top Scorers (in all competitions):
Manchester United: 15 – Robin van Persie, 9 – Javier Hernandez, 8 – Wayne Rooney, 3 – Tom Cleverley, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra 2 – Luis Anderson, Rafael da Silva, Ryan Giggs, Shinji Kagawa, Luis Nani, Own Goal 1 – Alexander Büttner, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Nick Powell, Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck
Newcastle United: 11 – Demba Ba, 5 – Papiss Cisse, 3 – Shola Ameobi, Hatem Ben Arfa, 1 – Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana, Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Own Goal, Ryan Taylor, Haris Vuckic
Manchester United Form: DWWLWW
Last six competitive matches: Swansea – D 1-1, Sunderland – W 3-1, Manchester City – W 2-3, CFR Cluj – L 0-1, Reading – W 3-4, West Ham United – W 1-0
Newcastle Form: WLLLWL
Last six competitive matches: Queens Park Rangers – W 1-0, Manchester City – L 1-3, Fulham – L 2-1, Bordeaux – L 2-0, Wigan Athletic – W 3-0, Stoke City – L 2-1
Head to Head at the Old Trafford:
Played 18 matches at Old Trafford since the Barclays Premier League was first formed:
Manchester United: Won 11, Drawn 7, Lost 0 – Scored 38 goals, conceded 10 goals and kept 10 clean sheet
Newcastle United: Won 0, Drawn 7, Lost 11 – Scored 10 goals, conceded 38 goals and kept 3 clean sheets
Manchester United Squad:
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Goalkeepers: 1. David De Gea, 13, Anders Lindegaard, 50. Sam Johnstone
Defenders: 2. Rafael da Silva, 3. Patrice Evra, 4. Phil Jones, 5. Rio Ferdinand, 6. Jonny Evans, 12. Chris Smalling, 15. Nemanja Vidic, 28. Alexander Büttner, 31. Scott Wootton
Midfielders: 7. Antonio Valencia, 8. Anderson, 11. Ryan Giggs, 16. Michael Carrick, 17. Nani, 18. Ashley Young, 22. Paul Scholes, 23. Tom Cleverley, 24. Darren Fletcher, 25. Nick Powell, 26. Shinji Kagawa, 33. Bebe
Strikers: 10. Wayne Rooney, 14. Javier Hernandez, 19. Danny Welbeck, 20. Robin van Persie, 21. Angelo Henriquez, 27. Federico Macheda
Doubts/Injuries: 2. Rafael da Silva (hamstring), 8. Anderson (hamstring), 17. Nani (hamstring), 26. Shinji Kagawa (knee) [injury details taken from PhysioRoom.com]
Suspensions: None [suspensions confirmed by the FA.com]
Newcastle United Squad:
Manager: Alan Pardew
Goalkeepers: 1. Tim Krul, 21. Rob Elliot, 37. Steve Harper
Defenders: 2. Fabricio Coloccini, 3. Davide Santon, 5. Danny Simpson, 6. Mike Williamson, 14. James Perch, 16. Ryan Taylor, 27. Steven Taylor, 31. Shane Ferguson, 34. James Tavernier
Midfielders: 4. Yohan Cabaye, 8. Vurnon Anita, 10. Hatem Ben Arfa, 15. Dan Gosling, 17. Romain Amalfitano, 18. Jonas Gutierrez, 20 Gael Bigirimana, 22. Sylvain Marveaux, 24. Cheick Tiote, 25. Gabriel Obertan, 29. Haris Vuckic, 39. Mehdi Abied
Strikers: 9. Papiss Cisse, 19. Demba Ba, 23. Shola Ameobi, 28. Sammy Ameobi
Doubts/Injuries: 4. Yohan Cabeye (groin/pelvis), 10. Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), 15. Dan Gosling (knee), 16. Ryan Taylor (ACL), 27. Steven Taylor (hamstring), 29. Haris Vuckic (ACL) [injury details taken from PhysioRoom.com]
Suspensions: Cheick Tiote (1 match) [suspensions confirmed by the FA.com]
Score Prediction:
Manchester United 2 – 0 Newcastle United
This will be a tough match for United now that the result at Swansea decreased the lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to four points. It is a must win match to keep the advantage over rivals Manchester City. Newcastle have been a bit hit and miss recently with two wins and four losses in their last six matches in all competitions.
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