In Saturday’s big match in the Barclays Premier League defending champions Manchester United will welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford. Both the teams are currently in the top 4 of the Premier League and the match will have a bearing on the hopes of these two teams as far as the title race is concerned.
Manchester United will look to buck up after allowing Benfica to steal a point in their Champions League match at Old Trafford in midweek. The result would not have amused Sir Alex Ferguson, whose team now has to take all three points at Basel and hope that Benfica drop points at home in order for Manchester United to top their Champions League Group.
Coming into the Premier League however, United have managed clean sheets in their last few games, ever since the mauling they received at the hands of Manchester City. The Red Devils have got the job done in the past few fixtures, but have not been very convincing on the pitch. One feels that they are missing the youth and nonchalance of the midfield pairing of Tom Cleverley and Anderson. During the opening phase of the season, this duo wrecked havoc on their opponents as they cut through their defences at will.
The same cannot be said of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher though. Fletcher for one has his limitations on the pitch. He is a hard worker who does his job quite well defensively, but as far as his contribution to the attack is concerned, there us a big question mark. Michael Carrick has not been the same player ever since Barcelona taught him a lesson in football at the Champions League final in Rom in 2009.
United will start with Anders Lindegaard at goal as De Gea is expected to be rested by Sir Alex after an unconvincing performance against Benfica. Rafael should finally get a start with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at center back. Patrice Evra starts at left back. Nani and Ashley Young should start on the flanks with Fletcher and Carrick at the center of midfield. Dimitar Berbatov should retain his place after his performance against Benfica while Wayne Rooney should start after recovering from the slight niggle that kept him out of the Champions League in midweek.
Newcastle United had their unbeaten run broken in the past week at the hands of league leaders Manchester City. As the Toons enter into a period where they will be facing the top teams in the Premier League, it will be very difficult for them to sustain their form.
The main threats to United will be striker Demba Ba, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, and Cheick Tiote. The defence is also pretty good with Ryan and Stephen Taylor present at the back alongside skipper Fabricio Coloccini, who has had a superb season so far.