Manchester United Look To Take Advantage Of A Wounded Newcastle

Manchester United will host Newcastle United this Friday, on Boxing Day from 3 pm local time. Manchester United dropped their first points after six straight wins away at Villa Park on last match day. Loaned striker Radamel Falcao headed in his first league goal to cancel Christian Benteke's cultured left foot strike. With Gabriel Agbonlahor shown the red for a challenge on Ashley Young the home side were down to ten men. Unfortunately, the Red Devils could not force a winner. Newcastle United on the other hand were left emotionally punctured after they lost their derby with Sunderland at home because of a 90th minute Adam Johnson goal.

Manchester United are presently seven points behind the second placed Manchester City, which means that a win will not alter their league position. On the other hand they are just one point ahead of fourth placed West Ham United and two points ahead of fifth placed Southampton. West Ham are away to high-fliers Chelsea while Southampton are away to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. This means any slip up by Louis van Gaal's men can be potentially harmful in holding on to third place.

With the squad relatively injury free, Manchester United will have more good news as they should welcome back Marouane Fellaini after illness for this match, Marcos Rojo and Chirs Smalling are also expected to return after their respective thigh muscle strain and groin/pelvis injuries. Newcastle United on the other hand should have attacking midfielder Mehdi Abeid back for the match. They still have eight more players out injured, the most for any team in the whole division.

In the last 10 meetings between the two sides five have been won by Manchester United. There have been three draws and two wins for Newcastle United in the other five matches. At home, in the corresponding last five encounters, Manchester United have won two, drawn two and lost the other one. The last meeting between these two sides was won by Newcastle thanks to a Yohan Cabaye goal. This time expect normalcy to return with a home win at the Theatre of Dreams.