Man Utd vs Newcastle - UAE preview

Sport360 staff 11:35 21/08/2015
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  • Expected to shine: Memphis Depay and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

    Ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to Manchester United, each team’s UAE Supporters Clubs previews the game, including predicting the likely XIs and picking their players to watch.

    Do you agree with the assessments of MUSC UAE and the Newcastle United Supporters Club of Dubai?  Let us know using #360fans on Twitter or commenting on the Sport360 Football Facebook page.

    ZIAD AL JAMAAN – MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB UAE

    It has been an interesting start to the season for United with two important wins in the Premier League, but there’s no question that the performances have been a little flat. There was finally a glimpse of style on Tuesday, Memphis Depay causing havoc on the left side in the Champions League play-off clash with Club Brugge, while the back four was solid despite an own goal. 

    Change could come in the form of Michael Carrick sitting this one out as Louis van Gaal surely needs to start Bastian Schweinsteiger soon.  At the back, Chris Smalling has been, as Rio Ferdinand recently said, in “beast mode” and should he remain injury free he could develop into a real leader at the back.

    Newcastle have not looked great in the first two games and it’s hard to see where their next win will come from.  Steve McClaren has his work cut out and with the Newcastle defence has been far too stretched, meaning Memphis could be primed to pounce. United have tougher tests coming up soon and the confidence is high at the moment so Louis van Gaal will be aiming to chalk up another win and put the disappointment of missing out on Pedro behind him.

    PREDICTION: Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United.

    LIKELY MANCHESTER UNITED XI: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Memphis, Fellaini, Rooney

    MAN UTD PLAYER TO WATCH: Memphis Depay – After a dazzling Champions League debut at Old Trafford, United’s new No. 7 will be keen to further his credentials against Newcastle.

    NEWCASTLE PLAYER TO FEAR:  Aleksandar Mitrovic – May have been lucky not to have been sent off so far this season, but the young Serbian striker could cause United’s back four problems with his power in the air. 

    FAVOURITE MAN UTD-NEWCASTLE MEMORY: An absolute thunderbolt from Wayne Rooney in a 2-0 win, back in April 2005. Rooney was down injured, then got up to berate the referee and almost as he was doing so stepped forward to spank a dipping volley into the top corner.

    WHERE TO WATCH: MUSC UAE’s Dubai home is Harvesters Pub at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, while in Abu Dhabi it is Coopers Bar at the Park Rotana.

    TWITTER: @MUSC_UAE
    FACEBOOK: MUSCUAE

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    PETER REDDING, NEWCASTLE UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB DUBAI

    This is a fixture that many Newcastle fans dread, for obvious reasons. Not scored for a while? Playing poorly? Lost confidence? Don’t worry, Newcastle United are in town! It’s been an inauspicious start to the season, with a draw and a loss against Southampton and Swansea not exactly getting pulses racing, though new boss Steve McClaren definitely deserves time.

    Once upon time in the mid-90s, a visit from the red half of Manchester constituted a top-of-the-table tussle; with Kevin Keegan as the manager and the likes of Eric Cantona, Alan Shearer, Gary Pallister and David Ginola taking to the field, there were some tremendous battles. Those days are long gone now, with Newcastle a faded force.

    Toon fans have been a glimmer of hope over the summer, however, some unexpected excitement coming as owner Mike Ashley finally decided to reach for his chequebook. The team will need time to bed under McLaren and there is still a desperate need for some full-backs who know what they are doing, plus another forward. The fans are feeling a little more optimistic – which is much needed after a tough couple of seasons – and a decent mid-table placing is not beyond the realms of possibility, given time.

    PREDICTION: Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United

    LIKELY NEWCASTLE XI: Krul, Anita, Haidara, Coloccini, Mbembe, Gini, Colback, Sissoko, Obertan, Tiote, Mitrovic

    NEWCASTLE PLAYER TO WATCH:  Georginio Wijnaldum. There were plenty of summer signings but it is Wijnaldum who has caught the eye most so far. The Netherlands international, who arrived from PSV, is a cultured midfielder with drive and a keen eye for goal.

    MAN UTD PLAYER TO FEAR: Wayne Rooney. He always seems to score against us and the stats back it up with 12 goals in 21 games against the Toon in his career (with a record of P22 W15 D5 L2). He has been poor so far this season so script writers sharpen your pencils!

    FAVOURITE MAN UTD-NEWCASTLE MEMORY: There can only be one: the 5-0 thrashing at St James’ Park in 1996. Alex Ferguson’s side had beaten Newcastle 4-0 in the Charity Shield so the fifth goal was extra special, particularly as it came courtesy of a majestic chip by centre-back Philippe Albert over Peter Schmeichel.

    WHERE TO WATCH: If you’re a NUFC fan, behind the sofa! But if you are feeling brave, fans will be heading to the Centre Circle pub in Al Barsha.

    FACEBOOK: Newcastle United Supporters Club Dubai 

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