Matt Oldfield
What: English Premier League
Who: Manchester United vs Newcastle United
When: Saturday 26th November, 2011, at 15:00 UK time
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Just About Getting The Job Done
Manchester United’s 6-1 thrashing by rivals Manchester City was a humiliating setback, but one which Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are slowly recovering from. Things have certainly changed, however. The lightning quick, recklessly attacking football of earlier in the season has been replaced by a return to United’s trademark experience and solidity. At the back, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have again been picked as a first-choice partnership, while in midfield, Anderson has been pushed to the periphery, in favour of Michael Carrick.
In the three league games since that historic derby defeat, Manchester United have collected maximum points, scoring three and conceding none. Two close-range strikes from poacher Javier Hernandez and a Wes Brown own goal; evidence of Ferguson’s side in consolidation mode, clinical rather than dominant, conservative rather than creative. The opposition has not been the strongest – Everton, Sunderland and Swansea – but the Red Devils are critically keeping up the pressure on City.
Last week, Ferguson praised his players’ response: “We have won five games in a row. That is momentum. We have had a few issues which, hopefully, we are gradually getting over.”
A disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Benfica on Tuesday continued United’s poor start to the Champions League, but the focus will be firmly back on the Premier League now. Ferguson will hope to welcome lynchpin Wayne Rooney back after the England international missed Tuesday’s game with a hip injury. Ashley Young and Danny Wellbeck are fit again and raring to go, and with Hernandez and now Dimitar Berbatov amongst the goals, United have an embarrassment of riches in attack.
Down But Far From Out
In the end, the inevitable occurred last Saturday; Manchester City beat a Cheick Tiote-less Newcastle, ending the Magpies’ unbeaten start to the season at the twelfth time of asking. 3-1 was far from the thrashing received by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, and Alan Pardew’s side fought hard. Fabricio Coloccini, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba all confirmed their quality, while Ryan Taylor was brought firmly back down to earth after a horror performance.
Against Manchester United, Pardew hopes to welcome back both Tiote and former Red Devil Gabriel Obertan to revive the grit and class that has made Newcastle’s midfield so successful this season. However, with the emergence of Sammy Ameobi and Dan Gosling, Newcastle now have good competition for places. Ben Arfa will look to keep his place in the first eleven, while Danny Guthrie looks set to return to the bench after an ineffectual display against the league leaders.
With Chelsea to follow next weekend, Newcastle will be determined not to fall to successive defeats. The Toon sit fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Tottenham and with European football still firmly in their sights. The defeat to City – and particularly the two penalties conceded – has given Pardew things to work on, and his players important lessons to learn. Newcastle must bounce back quickly from their first setback, making maximum use of their famous unity.
Potential United transfer target Yohan Cabaye seems unconcerned by the task facing his side at Old Trafford: “We want to win against Manchester United. I think we can”, said the Frenchman. “We want to stay at the top of the Premier League and get back to winning a lot of matches. The team spirit is still very good here.’
Recent form
Manchester United:
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland (05/11; Premier League)
Swansea 0-1 Manchester United (19/11; Premier League)
Manchester United 2-2 Benfica (22/11; Champions League)
Newcastle United:
Stoke City 1-3 Newcastle United (31/10; Premier League)
Newcastle United 2-1 Everton (05/11; Premier League)
Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United (19/11; Premier League)
Key absences
Manchester United: Tom Cleverley; Anderson; Wayne Rooney (doubt)
Newcastle United: Sylvain Marveaux; Cheick Tiote (doubt); Gabriel Obertan (doubt)
Players to watch
Manchester United – Javier Hernandez: With Wayne Rooney a major doubt and United now favouring a more direct approach, Hernandez could well be the difference in this tough encounter. Lethal in the box and with a good turn of pace, the Mexican will be ready to pounce ruthlessly upon any Newcastle mistakes. Few would bet against him adding to his record of two goals in his last three starts.
Newcastle United – Yohan Cabaye: The Frenchman has made a highly impressive start to his career in English football, combining skill, industry and an eye for goal. With Manchester United still looking slightly vulnerable in the middle of the park, Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Tiote will be integral to Newcastle’s plan for domination. Cabaye in particular will look to link up with Ba to trouble an occasionally complacent United defence.
Match Prediction
This game has the potential to be a hard-fought stalemate, with both sides strong in defence and Manchester United lacking ideas in attack. Much will depend upon the fitness of Tiote and Rooney, and the form of Young and Wellbeck. If the latter two exciting England internationals get time on the ball, the game could quickly run away from an inexperienced Newcastle team. This seems unlikely, but Ferguson’s side should have the talent and nous to edge out Pardew’s resilient side. Manchester United 2-1 Newcastle United.
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