Manchester United vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,354.
Saturday 22 August 2015 12:49, UK
Manchester United will look to maintain their winning start to the season when Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
United have opened their Premier League campaign with two consecutive 1-0 victories over Tottenham and Aston Villa, before kicking off their Champions League campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday.
Manager Louis van Gaal will be hoping for a positive end to the week after reported target Pedro signed for Chelsea on Thursday.
Standing in their way is a new-look Newcastle side who have made a tentative start to life under Steve McClaren. The Magpies have claimed just one point from their opening two league outings, with their latest result a 2-0 defeat to Swansea.
McClaren will be boosted by the addition of Florian Thauvin, who completed his move from Marseille to St James' Park on Wednesday.
Team news
Sergio Romero will continue in goal for United as David de Gea is still unable to focus on playing following Real Madrid's interest, according to Van Gaal.
The United manager remains without centre-back Phil Jones (mild thrombosis) and defender Marcos Rojo is unlikely to feature as he lacks match sharpness.
Van Gaal is considering handing Bastian Schweinsteiger his first start, but fellow midfielder Marouane Fellaini is still suspended.
New signing Thauvin goes straight into the squad for Newcastle's trip to Old Trafford. The 22-year-old is included just days after completing his switch to Tyneside, and he could yet be joined by fellow midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who is recovering well from a groin problem which forced his premature withdrawal at Swansea last weekend, but the France international remains a doubt.
Holland midfielder Siem de Jong is back in training after a shin injury, as is defender Paul Dummett, who is yet to feature this season because of a hamstring problem, but full-back Daryl Janmaat is suspended following his red card at the Liberty Stadium.
Stats
Newcastle have only enjoyed one Premier League victory at Old Trafford in their 21 visits, with a 1-0 win coming in December 2013 (D7 L13).
The Red Devils have won 15 of their last 19 Premier League games at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals and assisted seven more in 20 Premier League appearances against Newcastle.
Newcastle have lost more Premier League games against Manchester United than any other side (25).
Newcastle have lost seven consecutive Premier League away games, equalling their record from October 1999.
Merson's prediction
I haven't been impressed with Man United so far but they have still won both their games. They need to improve but I think they will get another victory against Newcastle, who were all over the place at Swansea last weekend.
Rooney has been poor so far. I don't think playing up front is his position. I think he is best as a No 10 looking at the goal, not with his back to goal. Pedro would have been good for them up front with Rooney off him, but I don't think Rooney is a centre-forward. I'm a big fan of his but not as a centre-forward.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Unbeaten Manchester United are 1/3 with Sky Bet to make it three League wins on the bounce with Newcastle 8/1 and the draw available at 4/1. United have won both their opening fixtures 1-0 and it's 11/2 for that trend to continue. Memphis Depay, who scored a brace in the midweek win against Club Brugge, is 7/2 to open the scoring while Papiss Cisse is 7/2 to net at Old Trafford for the Magpies. Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas is tipping Juan Mata to net the only goal in a 1-0 win for the hosts at 22/1.
