It's difficult to believe right now, but
Newcastle United vs.
Manchester United was once one of the biggest fixtures in the English football calendar. Ferguson vs. Keegan, Cantona vs. Ginola, Cole vs. Ferdinand - it was a fixture that had it all. It certainly does not hold the same appeal these days, but let's hope that the two teams roll back the years at St James' Park tonight. Thanks for joining
Sports Mole's coverage of events on Tyneside.
First things first, though, let's take a look at the team news, starting with the away side...
MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Schneiderlin, Fellaini; Lingard, Herrera, Martial; Rooney
MAN UNITED SUBS: Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, McNair, Weir, Mata, Pereira, Memphis
The big news for Man United is the omission of Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, who drops to the bench for the first time in the Premier League this season. He has been replaced by
Jesse Lingard, while Ashley Young and Morgan Schneiderlin have also been recalled. Bastian Schweinsteiger is ruled out with a knee problem, while young left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson finds himself among the substitutes with Mata.
© Getty Images
And now for the home side...
NEWCASTLE XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Colback, Tiote, Wijnaldum; Perez, Mitrovic
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Darlow, Sterry, Lascelles, Gouffran, Marveaux, De Jong, Toney
Importantly for Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini has shaken off a hamstring problem to start at the heart of the defence. Recent reports had suggested that the Argentine would miss this one, so that's positive news. Aside from that, there are no real surprises from head coach Steve McClaren, who is up against the club where he once served as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Of course neither of these two will feature, having not completed their moves to Newcastle in time. They are at the game, though:
Right, let's take a look at what the two managers have had to say in the days leading up to this game...
LOUIS VAN GAAL: "There are matches that I have enjoyed very much. Against Chelsea I enjoyed it but the result was 0-0 and we could have lost.
"There are also matches where I'm very bored or angry because we are not disorganising our opponent's defence but that is football. It's not every match that every club is playing fantastically, football that attracts the people."
STEVE MCCLAREN: "It's not rocket science. You need to keep clean sheets and have players who can score you goals. We've got players injured, we've only got one striker at the present moment and the other is an 18-year-old kid.
"We haven't got the luxury of having two or three strikers to pick from. We need to not get doubts because you get criticised and your confidence goes down. But if the effort, the football and the discipline weren't there and we weren't creating chances I'd be worried."
As you can tell from what both managers have had to say, their sides are having trouble finding the net right now. Those that were expecting a classic encounter full of goals may well be disappointed!
STATS!
* Newcastle have not scored a goal in any competition since December 19.
* The Magpies have won just two of their last 10 home Premier League games.
* Man United have won their last two games, but prior to that they were winless in eight.
* Man United have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches.
PREDICTION: Right, with not long until we get underway in the North East, let's have a stab at guessing the outcome of this encounter. Sorry, but my head says a 0-0 draw! Man United are struggling to create chances, while Newcastle are wasteful in front of goal. Hopefully it changes tonight, but I'm wary to say the least!
The players are in tunnel, but let's quickly take a look at what ex-Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has had to say about this game over on
BBC Sport:
"I wish I could play here tonight. The lights are on and the atmosphere is starting to build. Newcastle have struggled to score goals. They have had chances and they just haven't taken them and they have been punished. Conceding goals has also been a problem for them as well.
"For Manchester United, we all know what has been said about the team by past players and pundits and no-one can argue with that. Manchester United over the years have entertained us, even if you are a Geordie and it has hurt us. This side is very methodical.
"Manager Louis van Gaal has set positions he wants his players in and that has cost them in terms of scoring goals. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes tonight."
Right, the handshakes have taken place and we're almost ready to get underway at St James' Park.
However, before the first whistle is blown, there will be a 60-second applause for former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek, who sadly died just after Christmas at the age of 49.
KICKOFF! Hosting Newcastle get us off and running...
Very little to report from the opening five minutes. Neither goalkeeper has touched the ball, with the game being very much played in midfield.
PENALTY TO MAN UNITED!
Chancel Mbemba has not deliberately handled the ball, but his arm is in an unnatural position as Fellaini heads the ball into him. Referee Mike Dean points to the spot and up steps Rooney to tuck the ball away from 12 yards - neatly done by the United skipper. The home team aren't happy, but the visitors do not care - they lead.
Here is Shearer, again on
BBC Sport, talking about that penalty incident:
"My initial reaction was that no way was that a penalty. It seemed like Marouane Fellaini hit it on to Chancel Mbemba. I didn't think that was a penalty at all but clever from Wayne Rooney on the penalty - he put the one at the weekend to the goalkeeper's right but put it to the left this time."
It's all United at present. They aren't exactly carving Newcastle open, but they are controlling the contest in terms of possession. The Newcastle players are being made to work hard, that's for sure.
Incidentally, that Rooney penalty in the ninth minute is the fastest goal United have scored this season.
CHANCE! It should be 2-0 for the visitors. Lingard releases Rooney with a neat pass and the United skipper is away. Elliot stands his ground, which proves to be the right decision, as Rooney fires across him and wide of the target. He should be doing much better with that.
SAVE! Meanwhile, up the other end,
Georginio Wijnaldum fails to convert a potentially easier chance that the one Rooney has just spurned. The Dutch midfielder finds himself all alone inside the United penalty area, only to shoot straight at De Gea in the United goal. It's met by groans all around St James' Park.
PENALTY APPEAL! Now it's Newcastle that want a penalty and you can understand why. Janmaat bursts into the United box, only to be upended by Lingard. Referee Dean waves away the strong appeals, but replays show that it was indeed a foul by the United winger.
STAT! Not good reading for Newcastle supporters...
GOAL! NEWCASTLE 0-2 MAN UNITED (LINGARD)
If Mata had been on the pitch, there is every chance that United would not be two goals up. Rooney again sprints away and faced with two Newcastle defenders, he waits for Lingard to run up on his blindside. The pass is perfect for Lingard, who slots his shot underneath Elliot and into the far corner from a tight angle. Mata's lack of pace would not have allowed that goal to happen. United are 2-0 up and deserve to be.
GOAL! NEWCASTLE 1-2 MAN UNITED (WIJNALDUM)
Well, what idiot said that this was going to be a 0-0 draw?! Newcastle are back in the game and what a goal it is! Coloccini floats a lofted pass into the box for Mitrovic, who heads the ball down. Wijnaldum is advancing into the United area and meets it perfectly on the volley, which he sends beyond De Gea's reach. Lovely goal from the Magpies - boy did they need that.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this entertaining first half.
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE 1-2 MAN UNITED
Well, I'll hold my hands up - this game has shocked me so far! I backed a 0-0 draw, but with just 45 minutes played we've already had three goals, two of which were very good!
From Newcastle's point of view, that goal towards the end of the half could be crucial. Going into the break at 2-0 down, it would have been a long way back from there. That goal has lifted the spirit around the place, though, and gives the players something to attack after the restart.
As for United, while that Wijnaldum goal will have irritated Van Gaal, his side have been much better to watch this time around. They are counter-attacking well, as well as looking pacey and inventive in the final third of the pitch.
Before the second half gets underway, here's Lingard celebrating the goal that separates the two teams:
RESTART! United, who lead 2-1, get this contest restarted. Big 45 minutes ahead.
Praise from an England international...
SAVE! Where would Man United be without their Spanish goalkeeper? Sissoko weaves his way beyond Young inside the United box and a goal looks inevitable. But, De Gea stands tall and turns the French midfielder's shot behind for a corner. Nonetheless, it's a positive start to the second half for Newcastle.
CHANCE! Van Gaal, sat in his seat in the dugout, is not happy that his side haven't scored a third goal. It starts with Martial, who dances into the Newcastle box. He picks out Herrera and the Spaniard in turn squares a pass for Lingard. It looked easier to score than miss, but the United winger somehow lifts his shot from close range well over the top. Van Gaal's reaction is animated to say the least.
It's end to end stuff at present. Rooney has just broken clear, only to be stopped by Coloccini, while up the other end Colback wants a penalty as he tumbles under a challenge from Fellaini. The referee rightly waves away the appeals once again.
MAN UNITED SUB: Having badly fluffed a chance to seal the victory, Lingard is hooked. He's been replaced on the wing by Memphis Depay.
PENALTY TO NEWCASTLE!
GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2-2 MAN UNITED (MITROVIC, PEN)
Parity at St James'! It comes from the spot after Smalling and Mitrovic are involved in some wrestling at a corner. It looks like both players are at it, but the referee sides with the home team on this occasion. Mitrovic steps up to convert from the spot, sending the home faithful wild. We have an interesting 20 minutes or so ahead.
It's now all Newcastle. The game is being played in the United half, with the home supporters urging their side on. They believe there is a third goal in this encounter for their team and why not?!
MAN UNITED SUB: It's one Spaniard for another as United replace Herrera with Mata.
GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2-3 MAN UNITED (ROONEY)
What a goal from the United captain, who may well have earned his side all three points. An initial shot is blocked by Dummett, but it drops to Rooney 20 yards from goal. He instantly unleashes a swerving shot that flies into the top corner of Elliot's net. The Newcastle keeper had no chance. That's certainly changed the mood inside the stadium.
NEWCASTLE SUB: McClaren reacts to that goal by taking off Colback and throwing on Gouffran.
SAVE! Fellaini quite simply should have put the game out of Newcastle's reach. It's brilliant from Depay, who gets to the byline before floating in a fantastic cross. United's big Belgian midfielder is all alone inside the area, but he plants a header straight at Elliot. Huge chance.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Final alteration from the Magpies as Tony takes the place of Toney.
GOAL! NEWCASTLE 3-3 MAN UNITED (DUMMETT)
Football, hey?! You couldn't make it up! United seemed to be in cruise control, yet it seems that Newcastle have stolen a point. The visitors fail to clear their lines and they are punished as Dummett's strike from 20 yards flies into the top corner via a deflection off Smalling. Understandably, St James' Park erupts. Four minutes of added time - will we have a winner?
FULL TIME: NEWCASTLE 3-3 MAN UNITED
And breathe! There goes the final whistle and what an unexpected treat that was! Six goals and plenty of entertainment - you have to love the Premier League!
That is all we have time for from St James' Park. Thanks for joining us this evening and until next time, goodbye.
