By Tyne-Talk
January 12 2008

Newcastle United head to this evenings match against Manchester United at Old Trafford without a manager. Nigel Pearson will be running the show on a temporary basis until a new manager is installed at the club. As unsettled as the backroom may be it is a big game for the players and there is no excuse not to perform.

Unfortunately for the starting 11 they face the knowledge that the last time Newcastle won at Old Trafford was in 1972, and in recent weeks Manchester United have been on form.

Newcastle have lost 4 in their last 5 Premier League games, whilst Manchester United have won 4 in their last 5 Premier League games.

Fans werent convinced last week when it appeared that Obafemi Martins was the only member of the Nigerian team to have travelled so far ahead of the African Cup of Nations, it looked a possibility that he would travel to Old Trafford today, but is NOT included in the lineup, they are encouraged however by the news that Emre and James Milner are once again available for selection.

Newcastle youngers Kazenga LuaLua and Andy Carroll may also be included while Beye, Geremi and Faye are all away with their respective International teams.

Manchester United are set to start with Tevez who returns from an ankle injury and Wayne Rooney who between them this season have scored 15 goals in the 12 games they have started together.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is yet to score against Newcastle in their last 7 Premier League meetings, is also on form having scored 17 goals in all competitions this season.

Manchester are likely to be without captain Gary Neville who is not fully fit, Wes Brown who is suspended but John O'Shea and Danny Simpson are set to be named.

Manchester United FC		Newcastle United FC
21	Played	21
48	Points	26
15	Won	7
3	Drawn	5
3	Lost	9
38	Goals Scored	27
11	Goals Conceded	33

Manchester United FC:

Team: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez,

Substitutes: Kuszczak, Park, Nani, Fletcher, Simpson

Newcastle United FC:

Team: Given, Carr, Taylor, Cacapa, Enrique, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Milner, Owen, Smith.

Substitutes: Harper, Rozehnal, Emre, LuaLua, Viduka

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