Match to be played on Saturday 5th April 2014 at 15:00. Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle.
Manchester United will be high on confidence heading into their Premier League game against Newcastle United this weekend.
David Moyes’ team are fresh off of a solid performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a good result against Aston Villa last weekend, which sets them up well for this game.
Moyes has a couple of selection issues to mull over and he could make a couple of tweaks to the team, which started against the German and European champions.
Here’s the eleven he may go with.
GK – David De Gea
There’s very little doubt over De Gea’s current position in the team. He’ll be straight down on the team sheet when Moyes holds his pre-game meeting.
RB – Chris Smalling
He’s back in training and could come straight back into the team on the right, which will release Phil Jones to play in central defence.
CB – Phil Jones
Jones should move into the middle where he’s been effective this season. He needs to work on his consistency over the remainder of the campaign.
CB – Nemanja Vidic
Vidic produced a captain’s performance against Bayern, which dispelled any myths that he’s no longer motivated to produce some of his best football for the club.
LB – Alexander Buttner
If Buttner recovers well from the mid-week game then he may well keep his place. He’s been very effective since coming into the side to replace Patrice Evra.
RM – Antonio Valencia
Valencia offers balance, natural width and pace down the right hand side. All of those factors will be important on a big, open pitch like the one at St James’ Park.
CM – Michael Carrick
Carrick will sit in the middle and will try and make it difficult for Newcastle to play in front of the United back four.
CM – Marouane Fellaini
Fellaini can inject that aggression and physical presence into the heart of the side, looking to snap at the heels and disrupt Newcastle’s more effective and creative players.
AM – Juan Mata
The Spaniard should come back into the team. He was ineligible against Bayern so he’s had a brief rest and should be fresh.
LM – Shinji Kagawa
Kagawa offers protection of possession and probably did enough against Bayern Munich to ensure that he gets a start and another chance to impress in this game.
ST – Wayne Rooney
Rooney should star right at the very top of the United attack. His job is to harass the Newcastle defence, occupy players and make it difficult for both centre backs.
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