Matty 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 (edited) From nufc.com Premier League: Manchester United (h) This evening sees the current Premier League champions visit Tyneside for a non-televised 7.45pm KO. Tickets remain on public sale for this game from the SJP box office and club shops across the city. Tuesday night saw all three Premier League games finish positively from our perspective, with Portsmouth, West Brom and the mackems all losing to top five sides. For the visitors, Edwin Van der Sar is expected to return between the posts as he bids to extend his amazing sequence of shutouts to 17 games (15 in the Premier). The last goal he conceded was to Sami Nasri in the 48th minute of Man United's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal back in November. Since then he's kept clean sheets against Stoke, Villa, Man City, the mackems, Spurs, Stoke again, the smoggies, Southampton in the FA Cup, Chelsea, Wigan, Bolton, West Brom, Everton, West Ham, Fulham and Inter Milan in the Champions League. It's 13 years to the day since the two sides met at Gallowgate, with the Magpies losing 0-1 in what was to prove a pivotal evening in the race for the title. After Newcastle had bombarded the Gallowgate goal in the opening half without making a breakthrough, former Toon star Andy Cole set up Eric Cantona to score the only goal of the game six minutes after the restart. That narrowed the gap between Kevin Keegan's league leaders and Alex Ferguson's second-placed side to just three points, with ten games to play. The gap between the two Uniteds in 2009 currently stands at a mere 14 places and 34 points. The teams for that game were: NUFC: Srnicek, Barton, Beresford, Batty, Howey, Albert, Asprilla, Lee, Ferdinand, Beardsley, Ginola. MUFC: Schmeichel, Irwin, Neville P, Bruce, Neville G, Sharpe, Cantona, Keane, Cole, Butt, Giggs. NUFC: to follow...the club confirmed on Tuesday that both Nicky Butt and Damien Duff will miss the game with knee and calf injuries respectively. The unavailability of other midfielders Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Danny Guthrie leaves the Magpies short-handed in the centre of the park. Ryan Taylor appeared there at Bolton, while Geremi replaced Butt at the Reebok and Alan Smith remained unused (and fuming) on the bench. Nolan serves the second of a three game ban, while broken metatarsal victim Barton is expected to feature within four weeks. Guthrie meanwhile is pencilled in for the Hull game after hamstring trouble, with Duff predicted to be available for the KC Stadium trip. The extent of Butt's injury is still being assessed. Michael Owen (ankle/groin) and Habib Beye (ankle) have both set their own return dates of Hull (a) and Arsenal (h) respectively, while forgotten man Nacho Gonzalez is on course to make a return to action after being out since September 2008 with achilles trouble. The toe injury picked up by Xisco on his reserve debut in early February was diagnosed as requiring a three weeks layoff. The Spaniard however commented on Friday that he hoped to be playing again "within a few weeks". Monday's reserve victory was completed without the services of Nile Ranger or Kazenga LuaLua - it remains to be seen whether either make Wednesday's squad. MUFC: to follow...ahead of this game, Alex Ferguson added yet another trophy to his collection, with victory over Spurs at Wembley in Sunday's League Cup Final. However his side required a penalty shootout after a scoreless 120 minutes of play, after resting the likes of Carrick, Rooney, Berbatov, Van der Sar, Fletcher and Park ahead of their trip to Gallowgate. Ref: Steve Bennett - third outing of the season in one of our fixtures for this Kentish-based official and we've won both - 1-0 at home to Bolton and 2-0 at home to Villa. UK TV: none - full commentary on BBC Radio5. Overseas TV: C+ Sport 1 (D/F/N/S) C+ Sport 1 (Pol) ESPN Brazil Hi Soccer Nova Sports 1 (Hellas) NTV+ Sport Online Pink M Premiere Sport Portal RTS 2 (Serb) Show Sports 1 & 2 Showtime Magreb (ART) Sky Calcio 1 Sport 1 (Ukr) Sport 1.1 (Ned) Sport TV1 Supersport 3 (Digitalb) Supersport 5 (ZA) Fox Sports 2 (Australia) Stats: The Reds have won all but one of their 13 home league games this season, with our 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the season the only blemish. On their travels they have registered seven wins, four draws and two defeats - the latter pair coming at Liverpool in September and Arsenal the following month. Man U visit SJP having won their last ten Premier league games, keeping clean sheets in all but one of those. Remaining PL fixtures are online here (all teams) Red Devils in Toon - Premiership years: 2007/08 lost 1-5 Faye 2006/07 drew 2-2 Milner, Edgar 2005/06 lost 0-2 2004/05 lost 1-3 Shearer 2003/04 lost 1-2 Shearer 2002/03 lost 2-6 Jenas, Ameobi 2001/02 won 4-3 Robert, Lee, Dabizas, Brown og. 2000/01 drew 1-1 Glass 1999/00 won 3-0 Ferguson, Shearer 2 1998/99 lost 1-2 Solano 1997/98 lost 0-1 1996/97 won 5-0 Peacock, Ginola, Ferdinand, Shearer, Albert 1995/96 lost 0-1 1994/95 drew 1-1 Kitson 1994/95 won 2-0 Albert, Kitson (LC) 1993/94 drew 1-1 Cole Edited March 4, 2009 by Matty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I do think we'll lose, but I'm not expecting the dire thrashing of last season's same game. 2-0 to MUFC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Newcastle United v Manchester United (7.45pm) Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt is out after damaging his knee in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Bolton and will not make it for the Carling Cup winners' visit to St James' Park, with Geremi or Alan Smith set to deputise. Kevin Nolan will serve the second part of a three-match ban, while Damien Duff (calf), Michael Owen (ankle ligaments), Habib Beye (ankle), Danny Guthrie (hamstring), Joey Barton and Xisco (both fractured metatarsal) are still out. Newcastle (from): Harper, Forster, S. Taylor, Bassong, Coloccini, Enrique, Edgar, Cacapa, R Taylor, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Donaldson, Ameobi, Jonas, Smith, Viduka, Martins, Carroll. Wayne Rooney has recovered from a virus and should start for Manchester United. The England striker missed Sunday's Carling Cup win over Tottenham, but has since managed to train, and should be part of a fresh United line-up also containing Dimitar Berbatov, Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-sung and Darren Fletcher, none of whom were involved at Wembley. Defender John O'Shea is the only injury doubt, although the Republic of Ireland international is hopeful of shrugging off a heel injury. Goalkeeper Ben Foster returns to the substitutes' bench after his starring role at Wembley. Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Gibson, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Just to complete the depression... Some of the stats man. Newcastle v Man Utd PREMIER LEAGUE Venue: St James' Park Date: Wednesday, 4 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, with updates updates on Score and BBC Sport website; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of the Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt (knee) is out of his side's clash with former club Manchester United. Kevin Nolan is banned, while Damien Duff, Michael Owen, Habib Beye, Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton and Xisco are still injured. Wayne Rooney has recovered from a virus and should start for Manchester United. Dimitar Berbatov, Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher return, but defender John O'Shea (heel) is a doubt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton: "That is a fact, there is no team that's too good to go down. "What we have got to make sure we do is have enough character and strength. It just so happens that our next fixture is a very difficult fixture. "But it is not just about Manchester United, it's the series of games we have after that." Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "We'll not be falling into any traps. "March and April are the key months that will decide the league. I keep saying it, but no one listens. "We have lost leads because of bad form in March and April; we have won them by going on fantastic runs. How can we possibly take anything lightly?" Make your Premier League predictions BIG-MATCH FACTS Manchester United are in the driving seat in the title race and seemingly surging towards an 11th Premier League title, third in successive seasons and a record equalling 18th English league crown. If Newcastle fail to score in front of the Toon, the Red Devils will set a new English top-flight record of eight consecutive clean sheets away from home. Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar still has many personal landmarks available to him. The Dutchman was not between the sticks when United conceded their first goal in 15 Premier League outings, home to Blackburn on 21 February. Van der Sar has therefore kept the opposition at bay for 1,302 Premier League minutes. If he starts, and lasts into the 89th minute, he will break Danny Verlinden's European league record. The Club Bruges last line of defence completed 1,390 minutes without conceding a goal between 3 March and 26 September 1990 in the Belgium League. According to the Fifa-approved International Federation of Football History and Statistics, Van der Sar's current achievement places him sixth in the table of the longest time without conceding a goal in world league football. The world record is 1,816 minutes by Mazaropi of Vasco da Gama from 18 May 1977 to 7 September 1978. It will take Van der Sar another five matches plus the first 65 minutes of the away game against Wigan on 19 April to pass Mazaropi's mark. Manchester United have not been beaten in 15 league and cup meetings with Newcastle. They have scored 12 goals and conceded just two in the last three Premier League matches against the Magpies. The Toon last witnessed victory over the Red Devils on 15 September 2001, when they prevailed by the odd goal in seven at St James. Defender Wes Brown gave Newcastle the points with a late own goal. It was exactly 13 years ago on 4 March 1996 when Eric Cantona scored the only goal at St James' Park. That match turned the title race in their favour, as they chased down the 12-point lead Kevin Keegan's Newcastle had built. Newcastle have conceded more goals (64) and dropped more points (74) against Manchester United, than against any other club in the Premier League. Distance between the clubs: 151 miles (243 kilometres) CLUB FORM NEWCASTLE UNITED Club stats Going into this round of matches: 15th 28 points Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League (all statistics are ahead of this midweek set of Premier League fixtures) 1. Failed to win eight of the last nine Premier League games. 2. The current tally of 28 points after 27 games is on a par with last season, when they were two spots higher in 13th. 3. Not lost a league game in which they have opened the scoring; won six and drawn three of nine. 4. Not won a league game in which they have conceded the opening goal; drawn four and lost 11 of 15. 5. Conceded nine penalties in Premier League matches this term; more than any other club. Eight have been converted. 6. Kept one clean sheet in 10 league games; the 0-0 draw against Everton in the last home game on 22 February. 7. Drawn the last three Premier League games at home, not won in four and registered just one win in seven at St James' Park. 8. Lost all three home fixtures against 'Big Four' clubs spanning last season, by an aggregate of 2-12. 9. Faced North-West clubs 12 times this season, and only managed one win, home to Bolton on 23 August. 10. This is the first of three home fixtures against the so-called 'Big Four' clubs; Arsenal (21 March) and Chelsea (4 April) will be the next to arrive on Tyneside. Fixtures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MANCHESTER UNITED Club stats Going into this round of matches: 1st 62 points Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League (all statistics are ahead of this midweek set of Premier League fixtures) 1. Won all but one of the last 13 in all competitions, losing just one of 28. 2. Won the last 10 Premier League matches, against Stoke (a), Middlesbrough (h), Chelsea (h), Wigan (h), Bolton (a), West Brom (a), Everton (h), West Ham (a), Fulham (h) and Blackburn (h). 3. Victory here would equal their Premier League best 11 successive victories notched between 11 March to 14 May 2000, and leave them two short of equalling Arsenal's Premier League record of 13. 4. Unbeaten in 15 league games; won 13 and drawn two since losing 2-1 away to Arsenal on 8 November - their only loss in 23 top-flight outings. 5. One defeat short of 150 in league football under Sir Alex Ferguson. 6. Four points up on their total to this same stage last season, and one point down on the corresponding juncture in the previous year (both title-winning campaigns). 7. Scored in each of the last 10 league games. Failed to score in one of 13 (0-0 away to Tottenham on 13 December), and missed the target in only two Premier League matches all season; the other being 0-0, away to Villa on 22 November. 8. Boast the tightest defence in the Premier League. More details 9. Not conceded a league goal on the road in 672 minutes (11 hours 12 minutes) of Premier League football since Samir Nasri scored Arsenal's second in the Gunners' odd goal in three home victory on 8 November. 10. The next two matches are both at Old Trafford. First the return leg of the Champions League match with Inter Milan next Wednesday, which stands at 0-0, and the league game with Liverpool on Saturday week. Fixtures KEY PLAYER NOTES NEWCASTLE UNITED Squad profiles Fabricio COLOCCINI is the only remaining player to have started every one of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season. Michael OWEN is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals. If selected:- Steven TAYLOR will be making his 150th club career appearance (Newcastle and Wycombe). Nicky BUTT will be facing a former club. The 34 year old midfielder made 387 appearances (270 in the league) and scored 26 goals (21 league) from the beginning of his professional career to his £2.5m move to Newcastle in July 2007. Alan SMITH will be facing former colleagues. The 27 year old England international forward made 93 appearances (61 in the league) and scored 12 goals (seven league) for the Red Devils between May 2004 and his move to Newcastle in August 2007. Suspended:- Kevin NOLAN (two matches) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MANCHESTER UNITED Squad profiles Edwin VAN DER SAR is leading the race for the Barclays Golden Glove with 18 clean sheets. Cristiano RONALDO scored his first hat-trick for the Red Devils against Newcastle, with half their goals in the 6-0 victory at Old Trafford on 12 January 2008. Ronaldo has netted five in two appearances against the Magpies. Paul SCHOLES and Wayne ROONEY have scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle (nine each), than they have against any other opponents. SCHOLES needs a hat-trick to reach 100 Premier League goals - all for United. Ryan GIGGS is a hat-trick shy of 150 goals for Manchester United. If on the field from the outset:- VAN DER SAR will be making his 250th Premier League start. HEAD TO HEAD Manchester United have won 11 and drawn three of the last 14 Premier League matches against Newcastle, and six of their last seven trips to St James' Park (all competitions). Home and away League (inc PL): Newcastle 38 wins, Man Utd 68, Draws 35 Prem: Newcastle 3 wins, Man Utd 18, Draws 10 at Newcastle only League (inc PL): Newcastle 29 wins, Man Utd 25, Draws 16 Prem: Newcastle 3 wins, Man Utd 8, Draws 4 LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME Newcastle United 1-5 Manchester United 23 February 2008 - Ref: Chris Foy Newcastle scorer: Faye 79 Man Utd scorers: Rooney 25, Ronaldo 45, 56, Rooney 80, Saha 90 THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United 17 August 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley Man Utd scorer: Fletcher 24 Newcastle scorer: Martins 22 REFEREE Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Harper S.Taylor Coloccini Bassong Enrique R.Taylor Smith Jonas Martins Viduka Lovenkrads Chris, just please don't use Shola. I think there's also a good chance he'll start with Geremi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 91 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 that midfield would get torn apart by them..... bloody hell this is depressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrossthepond 878 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 This will be a humping of epic proportions - glad I'll be at work for this one. I'll try to be conservative and say 0-3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Onion 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I can't bring myself to bet against my own team, but if I could I'd say Manu to win to nil is a fucking knocking bet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Is protecting the goal difference the biggest thing we should worry about? Come the last day, I'm sure it may make the difference between a few of the clubs ... We're -10, compared to Blackburn's -13, Pompy's -15, Borough's -16, Hull's -17 and Stoke's -19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7084 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Shola will play, don't kid yourself he won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1260 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 If we could keep it to two I'd be content given the squad of players there is to pick from and the people doing the picking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUICE690 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I can only pray we don't get be hammered tonight. We'll lose, I'm resigned to that but to be beaten in the same vain as the Liverpool game would do an already shattered team morale no favors. Bloody hell this is all so depressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonpack 9946 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I do think we'll lose, but I'm not expecting the dire thrashing of last season's same game. 2-0 to MUFC. We only playing 5 minutes each way like ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7084 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Is protecting the goal difference the biggest thing we should worry about? Come the last day, I'm sure it may make the difference between a few of the clubs ... We're -10, compared to Blackburn's -13, Pompy's -15, Borough's -16, Hull's -17 and Stoke's -19. We definitely won't be as bad as Stoke tomorrow. Nailed on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaMoUsE 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 ive got man u on my accumulator but im going tonite hoping for a home win and you know what, i think we can do it howay the lads! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7084 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 When are they making cannabis Class A? :icon_lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I do think we'll lose, but I'm not expecting the dire thrashing of last season's same game. 2-0 to MUFC. We only playing 5 minutes each way like ?? Just hoping for the best in the circumstances we're in. And yet ... isn't your heart just hoping that we can perform a miracle tonight?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7084 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 (edited) Is this on the television? Edit: No it isn't Edited March 4, 2009 by trophyshy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Better get the K-Y out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7084 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Is this on the television? Edit: No it isn't cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Is this on the television? Edit: No it isn't Why is it we will get it down here in Australia, but you're left high and dry? I always thought that, in Britain, if Sky didn't pick it Setanta did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingKev 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 1-3, Rooney loves to score against us and he will do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ackas 311 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Martins will score a hat trick tonight. Dont laugh, get the bet on. We are 9/1 to win this on betfair. Anyone else think that is a little too generous??? I mean we could play out of our skins and they could have a bad night. One of Saylor's Gump like charges down the line might actually lead somewhere for once... On second thoughts, fuck that, we'd still lose by at least 3 clear goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douggy B 0 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Martins will score a hat trick tonight. Dont laugh, get the bet on. We are 9/1 to win this on betfair. Anyone else think that is a little too generous??? I mean we could play out of our skins and they could have a bad night. One of Saylor's Gump like charges down the line might actually lead somewhere for once... On second thoughts, fuck that, we'd still lose by at least 3 clear goals. Whats the draw, man utd are due a slip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ackas 311 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Martins will score a hat trick tonight. Dont laugh, get the bet on. We are 9/1 to win this on betfair. Anyone else think that is a little too generous??? I mean we could play out of our skins and they could have a bad night. One of Saylor's Gump like charges down the line might actually lead somewhere for once... On second thoughts, fuck that, we'd still lose by at least 3 clear goals. Whats the draw, man utd are due a slip? 7/2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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