Barclays Premier League Preview: Manchester United vs Newcastle

 

Match info: Saturday's early fixture will be shown live on BT Sport in the UK. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:45 BST and you can follow it in our live match blog, or via @ManUtd on Twitter.
Scene-setter: A much-improved 3-1 win over Club Brugge in midweek has boosted the confidence of the players and fans, and United are now looking to record a fourth win on the bounce in all competitions. Interestingly, if Louis van Gaal’s men manage to scoop all three points against Newcastle, it will be the first time the Reds have won the opening three Barclays Premier League fixtures since the 2011/12 campaign.
Form guide: Despite appearing a little disjointed in the two previous league wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, United have looked solid and combined silk with steel in the aforementioned Champions League victory. Newcastle are now under the charge of Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant manager Steve McClaren and they are searching for their first win of the season, following a 2-2 draw with Southampton at St James' Park and a 2-0 reverse at Swansea City.
Team news: After scoring a late header against Brugge, Marouane Fellaini will once again be confined to the stands as he serves the final match of a three-game domestic ban, while Phil Jones (illness) and Marcos Rojo (lack of match fitness) are also sidelined. Moussa Sissoko and Siem De Jong are both doubts for the Magpies but could yet feature for McClaren’s men. The match will come too soon for the injured Emmanuel Riviere, Sylvain Marveuax and Paul Dummett, with Daryl Janmaat also set to miss out through suspension.
Betting: United's new official betting partner Marathonbet are offering an exclusive £30 sign-up deal to supporters using the promo code MUFC30. United are considered favourites at odds of 39/100, with Villa at 87/10 and the draw at 21/5. A repeat of last year’s score – 3-0 to United – is being offered at 10/1.
Quote/unquote: “We must continue our good start. It is another home game and I think we have got to assert ourselves early on. I think it is good that we get to play first again, as hopefully it will allow us to set the benchmark for the weekend.” - Chris Smalling
Opposition view: “The trip to Old Trafford will be a big test of character, but we know that every game will be tough. I don’t think you can judge us until we are 12 games in. Last week against Southampton was encouraging and against Swansea I thought we recovered well after a slow start.” - Steve McClaren.
Star man: After impressing on his debut with a goal against Saints, it appears that £14.5 million signing Georginio Wijnaldum is set to become an integral part of the Newcastle team this season. He provided the Tynesiders with much-needed cut and thrust going forward, which means the Reds must be on their guard in order to thwart the talented Dutchman.
Sub-plot: Should Wijnaldum make his third successive start for the Magpies, it is likely that he will come up against his former PSV Eindhoven team-mate Memphis. The pair scored 36 goals between them last season as they helped the Dutch side win the title.
Rivals watch: Save for Spurs, who face Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday at 15:00 BST, all of United’s rivals play their fixtures later in the weekend. Chelsea start Sunday’s matches with an early start at West Bromwich Albion, before Manchester City take on Everton at Goodison Park. On Monday, the weekend’s most eye-catching game takes place with Arsenal hosting Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Referee: Craig Pawson will take charge of this one, having last officiated a United match back in January during the Reds’ FA Cup third-round tie away at Yeovil Town. Van Gaal’s men ran out 2-0 winners that day thanks to goals from Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria.