By Tyne-Talk
February 23 2008

Newcastle play host to Manchester United this afternoon in a 5.15pm kick off. It is the second time they have played the Red Devils, this side of Christmas, the first ending in a 6-0 defeat under caretaker manager Nigel Pearson. Manager Kevin Keegan used the break of the FA Cup weekend to take his team "back to basics" and hopes that he will see an improved performance on the pitch today.

Newcastle are without Stephen Carr, Emre and Obafemi Martins who is unable to play due to an ankle injury sustained whilst on International duty for Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations.

The side will welcome back Charles N'Zogbia who missed the game against Villa two weeks ago due to a suspension, and Shay Given is fit to play after suffering with a groin strain picked up at Villa Park.

Manchester United will miss out on Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre, but with Ryan Giggs due to be in the team after a minor injury against Lyon midweek, Alex Ferguson is with a complete squad.

Newcastle are yet to win a game this year in the Premier League, their last win being against Stoke City just prior to Keegan's return. 

Manchester United are having a blistering season, consistently swapping places on the top spot with contenders Arsenal. Their last set back was an astonishing defeat against Manchester City in a game which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. However, they bounced back to show Arsenal exactly who was in control with a 4-0 win against their rivals last weekend to knock them out of the FA Cup

TEAM CONFIRMATION

Newcastle United FC 

Given, Beye, N'Zogbia, Faye, Taylor, Barton, Butt, Milner, Duff, Smith, Owen

Subs: Cacapa, Harper, Carroll, Ameobi, Geremi

Manchester United FC 

Van Der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, Rooney, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Fletcher, Tevez

Subs: Anderson, Saha, Scholes, O'Shea, Kusczak

Team Confirmation

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 23/02/2008 16:46

TyneTalk
23/02/2008 16:46

Team Confirmation

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tunyc
25/02/2008 14:46

I love the way that the sky announcers didn't even know that Martins wasn't in the team-kept going on about how much of a boost is should be for the Toon to have 'all their players back from the African Nations' Cup'...douche bags...

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