Manchester United v Newcastle United [Premier League]

Manchester United's faltering Premier League title defence faces another challenge when Newcastle make the trip to Old Trafford on Saturday.

David Moyes' side are now 12 points adrift of leaders Arsenal following Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat to his former club Everton, a loss which halted a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

The expectations which climbed on the back of the 1-0 home success over the Gunners in November have nose-dived again following a run of just two points from three games, with Arsene Wenger's men taking the maximum from their matches.

The reigning champions have already lost four times this season, only one fewer than in their title-winning campaign last term, with Moyes accepting after the Everton reverse that they are now playing catch-up on their rivals.

Newcastle head to Old Trafford above United in the Premier League standings, despite seeing their own four-game winning run brought to a halt with a 3-0 defeat at Swansea in midweek.

The Magpies' form prior to the Liberty Stadium trip saw Alan Pardew and goalkeeper Tim Krul named Barclays manager and player of the month as Chelsea, Tottenham, Norwich and West Brom were all beaten in November.

Newcastle have a miserable record at Old Trafford, losing 21 and drawing eight of their last 29 league visits, but they will take some heart from the fact that Everton ended their own 21-year hoodoo at the home of the Red Devils on Wednesday evening.


Moyes has problems in attack for Saturday's Premier League clash with Wayne Rooney suspended following his fifth booking of the season in the defeat by Everton.

And with Robin van Persie still sidelined due to the toe and groin problems which have kept him out since scoring the winner against Arsenal, the onus will be on Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck in attack.

Phil Jones is available again after missing the Everton game through suspension, while Moyes is expected to shake up his midfield after Marouane Fellaini and Ryan Giggs started in the centre in midweek.


Pardew will make a late check on striker Papiss Cisse ahead of the Premier League trip to Manchester United on Saturday.

The Senegal international missed Wednesday night's 3-0 defeat at Swansea with a heel problem and will be assessed on Friday.

Midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who did not travel to the Liberty Stadium because of illness, reported for training on Thursday and is expected to be available at Old Trafford.


Newcastle have only won one of their last 23 matches against Manchester United in all competitions - a 3-0 Premier League home victory in January 2012.
In total, they have only won four of their 38 Premier League matches against the Red Devils - all at St James' Park.
Manchester United have won 78 Premier League points against Newcastle - more than any other club has against the Geordies.
In last season's encounter on Boxing Day at Old Trafford, the home side came from behind three times to win 4-3 thanks to a last-minute goal from Javier Hernandez.