EPL Preview: Newcastle United vs Manchester United

Join us here for the LIVE streaming text commentary of the match along with your thoughts on each and every move. Manchester United were dealt a shattering blow as bitter rivals Manchester City ended their treble dream courtesy a 1-0 victory over the Reds in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday. With Chelsea doing their bit to keep the title race interesting by clinically seeing off West Brom, it was Arsenal’s turn to make it a weekend to forget for the league leaders. When Robin Van Persie put the Gunners ahead in the 97^th minute at the Emirates, United seemed destined to be swallowing a bitter pill, but off all teams in the world, Liverpool brought some joy to the Old Trafford faithful when Dirk Kuyt’s last kick of the game (penalty) relegated Arsenal to six points behind United. It was a crazy 10 minutes of stoppage time at the Emirates which culminated in Manchester United taking cruise control of the Barclays Premier League.

Gary Neville once said that every defeat is a big disappointment at Manchester United and its seldom less painful than when it comes against the ‘noisy neighbours’, add to that a missed opportunity to play the FA Cup final; disappointments rarely come bigger.

However, as the players say the best thing to happen after a major setback is an immediate opportunity to get back to winning ways and as much as Newcastle United are no pushovers, a mid-table team (almost safe from relegation and no European ambition) is as easy a game as one can hope for.

Team news

Manchester United:

Rooney's return will bolster United attack

Wayne Rooney will be back to bolster the United attack which failed to find the net against a disciplined City defence. Paul Scholes will miss out as he starts his 3 match ban following his dismissal on Saturday. Rafael is fit enough to start though Sir Alex will have to watch this one from the stands as well.

Newcastle United:

Can a fromer Citizen spoil the Reds party?

Kevin Nolan will be a big loss for the Tynesiders as he serves his suspension though they will be glad to welcome back Cheik Tiote who is back after his stint on the stands. Hatem Ben Arfa, Leon Best, Dan Gosling and former Reds favorite Alan Smith are not expected to play any part on Tuesday but former City midfielders Stephen Ireland and Joey Barton will look to spoil a Reds party.

This fixture has produced many high scoring contests over the years, but the current Newcaste United team do lack a bit in the attacking third after Andy Carroll’s departure. Then again, the Magpies are capable of virtually anything; their comeback draw 4-4 against Arsenal from four goals down is testimony to that fact.

Can the Toon Army inspire the Magpies to yet another 'top four' scalp?

If there is one potent force that has never deserted Newcastle United its been the Toon Army and just to underline its influence, here is what Magpies manager Alan Pardew had to say,

“It is a fixture I genuinely believe Sir Alex will be very wary of, maybe not so much because he fears us as a team, but because he fears the ground and the reaction it can inspire the team to”.

Berbatov and Carrick: Amends to make

United players would be desperate to erase the memory of that semi-final loss. Rooney would look to get back firing in all cylinders, meanwhile teammates Michael Carrick whose error lead to the City goal and Dimitar Berbatov whose glaring misses early on in the game cost United dear would be eager to make amends. With Arsenal facing a tough trip to White Harte Lane, this could be Manchester United’s chance to lay one hand on the Barclays Premier League title.