| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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NEWCASTLE UNITED
Harper Simpson, Perch, Williamson, Santon Ben Arfa, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez Cisse, Ba |
MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra Carrick, Scholes Nani, Rooney, Kagawa Van Persie |
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is facing a defensive crisis ahead of Sunday’s game, with Steven Taylor (calf) and Fabricio Coloccini (thigh) both unavailable.
Danny Simpson is pushing to shrug off a hamstring injury to return to the side, meaning James Perch will fill in at centre-back, while midfielder Yohan Cabaye is set to make a comeback from a mouth infection.
Meanwhile, the game may come too soon for Tim Krul (elbow), and Ryan Taylor (knee) is a long-term absentee for the Magpies.
Sir Alex Ferguson is still without defenders Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic (both knee), but Chris Smalling (foot) could make a comeback to the Manchester United squad.
Antonio Valencia (foot) and Ashley Young (knee) remain sidelined, while Darren Fletcher (stomach) could make a first Premier League appearance after coming back from a 10-month absence against CFR Cluj in midweek.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
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Newcastle's 3-0 win over Sir Alex’s side last season was their first over the Red Devils in 20 matches in all competitions; their previous victory was a 4-3 thriller in September 2001
- However, if the Magpies avoid defeat it will be the first time since 1989 they have gone four games unbeaten in the league against the Red Devils
- 88 per cent of Newcastle's goals have come in the second half; the highest proportion of any team in the league
- Demba Ba has made two Premier League appearances against Manchester United, and scored in both
- Both Paul Scholes (nine) and Wayne Rooney (10) have scored more goals against Newcastle than when facing any other Premier League club
- Manchester United have gone behind in five of their six Premier League games this season
- In his last five starts against Newcastle, Robin van Persie has scored five times.
