Newcastle United Vs. Manchester United
Tuesday 19th April 2011
Barclays Premier League
St. James Park
19:45 Kick Off
Sky Sports
Tuesday 19th April 2011
Barclays Premier League
St. James Park
19:45 Kick Off
Sky Sports
There's a certain individual with plenty of making up to do, and he goes by the name of Wayne Rooney. The unwanted ramifications of the England forward's crass stupidity in swearing into a TV camera after scoring at West Ham were plain for all to see at Wembley as a Rooney-less Manchester United slid to defeat to their local rivals City to extinguish hopes of repeating their 1999 treble.
United simply aren't the same side without their talismanic star, who was forced to watch from the sidelines as he completed his two-match suspension for the ill-advised four-letter rant. How it showed in the 1-0 set-back.
Rooney has an immediate chance to start to make amends for what was to all intents and purposes a self-imposed exile, when he returns to what's been the happy personal hunting ground of St James' Park.
It wasn't all bad news at the weekend, with Liverpool's late, late leveller at Arsenal leaving United six points clear at the top of the Premier League, a lead they fully expect to extend to nine against a Newcastle side who've adopted the role of willing doormats against Sir Alex Ferguson's men in recent seasons.
With six goals in his last five visits to Tyneside, Rooney could have hand-picked no better venue at which to help banish memories of the damaging City setback as the Old Trafford club close in on a record 19th top flight title.
As Rio Ferdinand, who is set to make his 350th United start, told fans via twitter: "We're disappointed we didn't get the win we were looking for against City. Now let's go and win some silverware."
Form Guide: Newcastle won their last home match convincingly against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but come into the game on the back of a defeat, a toothless display in the 1-0 setback at Aston Villa. Cup exploits aside, United have won their last three league games since back-to-back defeats by Chelsea and Liverpool at the start of March.
Key Match-Up: Fabricio Coloccini v Rooney: Fully refreshed after his second consecutive weekend off to complete his domestic two-match ban, Rooney will be raring to go against a Newcastle defence which has proved rather Jekyll and Hyde this season, as has Coloccini.
NEWCASTLE:
It's 17 league and cup games - three draws and 14 defeats for the statistically minded - since Sir Bobby Robson oversaw Newcastle's last victory over United, a 4-3 thriller in 2001.
With eight full days' rest since they were last in action, Alan Pardew hopes his fresh troops can exploit tired legs in the visitors' camp 72 hours after United's Wembley disappointment.
"There's a bit of breathing space between ourselves and the bottom and we want to finish the season as strongly as possible," the manager said.
"We've got an opportunity to have a go at United. That's what we're going to try to do, we'll be set up to try and win. We want to put them under pressure, and force errors."
Skipper and 12-goal top scorer Kevin Nolan serves the second of a two-match ban, but Cheik Tiote and James Perch return from suspension for the hosts, who could also hand Stephen Ireland a belated debut almost three months after his arrival on loan from Aston Villa.
It being more than four months since the injury-prone Republic of Ireland midfielder last figured in the Premier League, a place among the substitutes looks like being the best the 24-year-old can hope for.
Pardew added: "I'll have a couple more options and the one thing about United is that they've got a tough schedule. They've come off the back of games with Chelsea and Manchester City and as a result we should have more energy, and that could even it up given the quality they have."
Strategy: Pardew hopes Shola Ameobi will recover from a knee problem to pair the forward alongside Peter Lovenkrands in a two-pronged attack as he goes on the offensive against the Premier League leaders. Coloccini can be expected to revert to his natural defensive role after a rare, largely unsuccessful midfield outing against Villa, meaning Steve Taylor is likely to stand down.
Injury Update: Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) Alan Smith (ankle) and Dan Gosling (knee) and Leon Best (ankle) are all unlikely to feature again this season.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Nemanja Vidic believes returning to action so soon after their FA Cup semi-final setback is the best cure for any potential hangover for Manchester United.
Ferguson's side are still reeling from their defeat to City, but the leaders have an immediate chance to redeem themselves – and edge even closer to their latest domestic title.
Captain Vidic said: "We just have to think about the next game now against Newcastle, especially after losing the semi-final. It will be a very important game for us.
"We still have many games to play. Obviously the next one is the most important one. We have to play the best we can and win that game.
"But we know there are another two opportunities for some silverware, and we have to make sure we take them."
Ferguson backed Rooney to come back fresh and firing for the run-in, and the Scot added: "He has such great energy, but it's fair to say his FA ban means he will be fresh for the Newcastle game.
"Wayne had a difficult start to the season because things were happening off the pitch and it wasn't the best of times but he is playing with great confidence now."
Strategy: United have a fine recent record on Tyneside – and Rooney always seems to score against Newcastle. His return is a major fillip so expect to see a fired-up side who are still smarting from their FA Cup exit. Ferguson will know a win here will see them put one hand on the trophy and they will be going all out for the win from the off.
Injury Update: Rafael (knee) and Darren Fletcher (virus) are sidelined. Owen Hargreaves (shoulder) remains a long-term absentee, while Paul Scholes begins a three-game following his red card at Wembley.
Predicted Lineups:
Newcastle:
Harper
Simpson Coloccini Taylor Enrique
Ireland Barton Tiote Gutierrez
Lovenkrands Ameobi
Simpson Coloccini Taylor Enrique
Ireland Barton Tiote Gutierrez
Lovenkrands Ameobi
Man Utd:
Van der Sar
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Giggs Nani
Rooney Hernandez
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Giggs Nani
Rooney Hernandez
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