Manchester United are back at Old Trafford, the scene of their 3-1 Champions League play-off first-leg victory over Club Brugge earlier in the week. The opponents this weekend are Newcastle United, managed by ex-England boss Steve McLaren who was once assistant manager at Manchester United.
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Newcastle have had an ever changing team over the past few seasons with a distinctly French feel to it – almost like a budget Arsenal. There is also a real Dutch influence too. Newcastle have however lost 25 Premier League games against Manchester United, more than they have against any other side.
So, here are three key battles to look out for in the game on Saturday.
Daley Blind vs Papiss Cisse
Untested really so far at the back, Daley Blind is not a centre-back by trade but has been converted to one so far this season by Louis van Gaal to decent success. However having not yet faced a real test yet, Blind could find himself more exposed by the pace and power in Newcastle’s attack. Papiss Cisse is incredibly quick and strong, with Florent Thauvinand Wijnaldum also in the mix.
Cisse is Newcastle’s main goalscoring threat and has been for some time. The Senegalese international has scored 35 Premier League goals since joining Newcastle in 2011. He scored 13 times in 14 games in his debut season in the league, and has also kicked his season off with a goal this year. More than Rooney at least. He could be prove to be a major headache for Blind to deal with.
Blind struggled on international duty earlier this year with Holland in such a situation – Tottenham’s DeAndre Yedlin made Blind look silly as the United States international ran rings around Blind to help the US secure a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory. Obviously Newcastle are no USMNT but the same problems could occur or should at least be considered especially in the long term.
The rest of United’s back line has been solid which means Blind will be provided with plenty of support but obviously he needs to step up to the mark and prove he can play that central role. Marcos Rojo is a gamble because despite being a natural defender, he has not played since the Copa America in the summer. Plus, it would not be a good idea to disrupt a clearly working and effective defensive corps.
Bastian Schweinsteiger vs Vurnon Anita
In midfield is where van Gaal must make arguably his most difficult decision. He needs to accommodate Bastian Schweinsteiger somewhere at some point. It will most likely be for Michael Carrick who has not started the season in the same vein of form he managed to finish last season in.
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Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin have started together as the double pivot of a 4-2-3-1 system in each of United’s games so far this season and Schneiderlin has impressed far more than Carrick has. Despite only coming off the bench, Bastian Schweinsteiger has been impressive even so.
He could be battling in midfield against Vurnon Anita. Having been given a fresh start by Steve McLaren, Anita is looking to be a decisive player in the Toon Army’s midfield this season. Obviously though Anita is not on Schweinsteiger’s level, and Schweinsteiger will also have the edge over Jack Colback, former United man Gabriel Obertan and Sissoko.
The Manchester United man could well use this game to his advantage and showcase why he should be first choice over Michael Carrick from now on.
Wayne Rooney vs The Newcastle defence
Rooney is edging closer and closer to crunch-time, with critics mounting and fans worrying. This is supposed to be his record-breaking season as he becomes England’s highest ever goalscorer and the same for Manchester United to surpass the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton.
But Rooney hasn’t looked anything like that so far three games in and has not scored for nine games now carrying on from last season. Luckily, he faces a traditionally leaky Newcastle defence in which to redeem himself with.
Rooney insists he has only had one bad game this season. This is a little sub-battle, with Rooney battling against a general consensus that he has had three bad games. The England man loves proving people wrong though and Newcastle could be the team to turn things around.
Newcastle saw right-back Daryl Jaanmaat sent off against Swansea in the first-half, and in that game they faced a barrage of 19 Swansea shots. New signing Mbemba is still settling in to Premier League football and so proves an easy target for the vastly experienced goalscoring predator that is Wayne Rooney. Newcastle stalwart Coloccini is also suspect to making mistakes and if Rooney doesn’t take advantage, Memphis Depay surely will.