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Played
August 16, 2010 8:00 PM BST
August 16, 2010 8:00 PM BST
Premier League Preview: Manchester United – Newcastle United
* Kick-off: Monday August 16, 20:00 BST
* Old Trafford, Manchester
By Gill Clark
Fighting back
Having narrowly lost their Premier League title to Chelsea last season, Manchester United begin their quest to regain top spot in the land with a visit from newly-promoted Newcastle United.
The game has echoes of 2008 when these two sides also met on the opening day at Old Trafford. On that occasion the Magpies left with an impressive 1-1 draw and high hopes for the season ahead.
Yet that result proved to be a false dawn with Newcastle enduring a calamitous campaign, that finished with relegation, whilst in stark contrast the Red Devils went on to win the title.
Certainly Sir Alex Ferguson will hope to start the season with a win, something United have managed only once in their last three opening day fixtures; that victory coming last season when a goal by Wayne Rooney was enough to seal a 1-0 win against Birmingham City.
However, the Scot will be confident, particularly after last weekend’s Community Shield win over Chelsea when Paul Scholes, the much-maligned Dimitar Berbatov and new signing Javier Hernandez all caught the eye.
Back in the big time
Whilst Manchester United may have lost their crown Newcastle United did finish the season as champions after gaining promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt and ensuring their stay in the Championship was limited to just one season.
Manager Chris Hughton has since admitted that whilst he is unsure of what the season holds for the Tynesiders, there has been no talk of avoiding relegation at St James’ Park.
The Newcastle boss has been active in the transfer market bringing in James Perch, Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell whilst rumours of a deal for Marseille’s Hatem Ben Arfa refuse to go away.
However, the Magpies couldn’t have asked for a much tougher start to life back in the top flight than a trip to Old Trafford. Not only have Newcastle never won at the 'Theatre of Dreams' in the Premier League, they have failed to beat the Red Devils on their own turf since 1972.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
The home side will be without long-term injury victims Owen Hargreaves and Anderson. Rio Ferdinand’s knee problem also keeps him out while the game may come too soon for Patrice Evra who was given extended leave after a traumatic World Cup with France.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; O’Shea, Vidic, Evans, Fabio; Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Valencia, Rooney, Nani.
Newcastle United
Steven Taylor is another long-term injury victim having dislocated his shoulder in pre-season, whilst Dan Gosling is not expected to feature until January. Leon Best and Danny Simpson are also injured.
Possible starting XI: Harper; Taylor,Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique; Gutiérrez, Smith, Nolan, Barton; Lovenkrands, Carroll.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
Javier Hernandez's impressive World Cup showing and pre-season goalscoring exploits means the Old Trafford faithful will be looking forward to welcoming the Red Devils’ new striker to the ranks.
Whilst he is unlikely to start the game, he may be introduced at some point and will no doubt fancy his chances of a debut goal in the Premier League against one of the top flight’s new boys.
Newcastle United
Kevin Nolan was the Championship’s Player of the Season and Newcastle will look to his battling qualities and experience at Old Trafford.
Of course the former Bolton Wanderers man was also amongst the goals last season, netting 18 times, and against a home defence missing several key members he may prove a threat.
PREDICTION
This could be a tough opener for the home side who have struggled on the opening day in recent seasons and will have some of their World Cup stars still some way from top form.
However, Newcastle’s record at Old Trafford is poor and the extra quality the home side possess should mean they have enough to secure a narrow victory.
Having narrowly lost their Premier League title to Chelsea last season, Manchester United begin their quest to regain top spot in the land with a visit from newly-promoted Newcastle United.
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The game has echoes of 2008 when these two sides also met on the opening day at Old Trafford. On that occasion the Magpies left with an impressive 1-1 draw and high hopes for the season ahead.
Yet that result proved to be a false dawn with Newcastle enduring a calamitous campaign, that finished with relegation, whilst in stark contrast the Red Devils went on to win the title.
Certainly Sir Alex Ferguson will hope to start the season with a win, something United have managed only once in their last three opening day fixtures; that victory coming last season when a goal by Wayne Rooney was enough to seal a 1-0 win against Birmingham City.
However, the Scot will be confident, particularly after last weekend’s Community Shield win over Chelsea when Paul Scholes, the much-maligned Dimitar Berbatov and new signing Javier Hernandez all caught the eye.
Back in the big time
Whilst Manchester United may have lost their crown Newcastle United did finish the season as champions after gaining promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt and ensuring their stay in the Championship was limited to just one season.
Manager Chris Hughton has since admitted that whilst he is unsure of what the season holds for the Tynesiders, there has been no talk of avoiding relegation at St James’ Park.
The Newcastle boss has been active in the transfer market bringing in James Perch, Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell whilst rumours of a deal for Marseille’s Hatem Ben Arfa refuse to go away.
However, the Magpies couldn’t have asked for a much tougher start to life back in the top flight than a trip to Old Trafford. Not only have Newcastle never won at the 'Theatre of Dreams' in the Premier League, they have failed to beat the Red Devils on their own turf since 1972.
Happy days | But can Newcastle impress in the top flight?
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
The home side will be without long-term injury victims Owen Hargreaves and Anderson. Rio Ferdinand’s knee problem also keeps him out while the game may come too soon for Patrice Evra who was given extended leave after a traumatic World Cup with France.Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; O’Shea, Vidic, Evans, Fabio; Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Valencia, Rooney, Nani.
Newcastle United
Steven Taylor is another long-term injury victim having dislocated his shoulder in pre-season, whilst Dan Gosling is not expected to feature until January. Leon Best and Danny Simpson are also injured.Possible starting XI: Harper; Taylor,Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique; Gutiérrez, Smith, Nolan, Barton; Lovenkrands, Carroll.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
Javier Hernandez's impressive World Cup showing and pre-season goalscoring exploits means the Old Trafford faithful will be looking forward to welcoming the Red Devils’ new striker to the ranks.Whilst he is unlikely to start the game, he may be introduced at some point and will no doubt fancy his chances of a debut goal in the Premier League against one of the top flight’s new boys.
Newcastle United
Kevin Nolan was the Championship’s Player of the Season and Newcastle will look to his battling qualities and experience at Old Trafford.Of course the former Bolton Wanderers man was also amongst the goals last season, netting 18 times, and against a home defence missing several key members he may prove a threat.
PREDICTION
This could be a tough opener for the home side who have struggled on the opening day in recent seasons and will have some of their World Cup stars still some way from top form.
However, Newcastle’s record at Old Trafford is poor and the extra quality the home side possess should mean they have enough to secure a narrow victory.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle United
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United
- 24.07 %
-
Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle United
- 18.09 %
-
Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United
- 10.85 %
| Premier League (EPL) | 4 Jan 2012 | Newcastle United 3 - Manchester United 0 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 26 Nov 2011 | Manchester United 1 - Newcastle United 1 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 19 Apr 2011 | Newcastle United 0 - Manchester United 0 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 16 Aug 2010 | Manchester United 3 - Newcastle United 0 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 4 Mar 2009 | Newcastle United 1 - Manchester United 2 |
|
Manchester United
   |
||
| 13 May 2012 | Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 1 | EPL |
| 6 May 2012 | Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 0 | EPL |
| 30 Apr 2012 | Manchester City 1 - Manchester United 0 | EPL |
| 22 Apr 2012 | Manchester United 4 - Everton 4 | EPL |
| 15 Apr 2012 | Manchester United 4 - Aston Villa 0 | EPL |
Newcastle United
 |
||
| 13 May 2012 | Everton 3 - Newcastle United 1 | EPL |
| 6 May 2012 | Newcastle United 0 - Manchester City 2 | EPL |
| 2 May 2012 | Chelsea FC 0 - Newcastle United 2 | EPL |
| 28 Apr 2012 | Wigan Athletic 4 - Newcastle United 0 | EPL |
| 21 Apr 2012 | Newcastle United 3 - Stoke City 0 | EPL |
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| 1 | Edwin van der Sar | Goalkeeper |
| 15 | Nemanja Vidic | Defender |
| 16 | John O'Shea | Defender |
| 6 | Jonny Evans | Defender |
| 3 | Patrice Evra | Defender |
| 25 | Antonio Valencia | Midfielder |
| 22 | Paul Scholes | Midfielder |
| 17 | Nani | Midfielder |
| 24 | Darren Fletcher | Defender |
| 9 | Dimitar Berbatov | Striker |
| 10 | Wayne Rooney | Striker |
| 29 | Tomasz Kuszczak | Goalkeeper |
| 12 | Chris Smalling | Defender |
| 27 | Federico Macheda | Striker |
| 14 | Chicharito | Striker |
| 21 | Rafael Silva | Midfielder |
| 16 | Michael Carrick | Midfielder |
| 11 | Ryan Giggs | Midfielder |
| 1 | Stephen Harper | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Fabricio Coloccini | Defender |
| 6 | Mike Williamson | Defender |
| 3 | José Enrique | Defender |
| 18 | Jonás Gutiérrez | Midfielder |
| 14 | James Perch | Midfielder |
| 4 | Kevin Nolan | Midfielder |
| 17 | Joey Barton | Midfielder |
| 9 | Andy Carroll | Striker |
| 15 | Wayne Routledge | Midfielder |
| 17 | Alan Smith | Midfielder |
| 26 | Tim Krul | Goalkeeper |
| 30 | Nile Ranger | Striker |
| 9 | Xisco | Striker |
| 34 | James Tavernier | Defender |
| 29 | Haris Vuckic | Midfielder |
| 16 | Ryan Taylor | Midfielder |
| 23 | Shola Ameobi | Striker |
| Chicharito | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 14 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Nolan | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 4 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Results
Times In BST
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
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Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
27 | 6 |
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Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
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Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn |
17 | 4 |
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Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
