Last Updated: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:44
Managerless Newcastle will hope to avoid the unenviable record of 25 matches without a win at Old Trafford, but the omens are not good.
The Magpies have never won at Old Trafford in the Premier League era - and have not registered maximum points there in 36 years - and their cause has been compounded by the departure this week of manager Sam Allardyce.
Caretaker boss Nigel Pearson has Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye away with Senegal and Geremi with Cameroon.
Exciting young prospect Kazenga LuaLua is included on the bench, while experienced defender Stephen Carr (hamstring) starts after playing for the reserves in midweek.
Emre (ankle) and James Milner (illness), who missed the FA Cup tie at Stoke last weekend, are also available with the former among the subs and Milner back in the side.
The home side are looking to claim an 11th straight league victory at Old Trafford and stay hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal. They have taken all three points in six of their last seven Premier League games and are deservedly warm favourites to see off Newcastle.
The Magpies have scored 11 goals from 10 games on their travels and it is difficult to be certain how the managerial situation will affect them. One thing is for certain, they will have to take any scraps of chances they get.
The home side's well-organized defence is mean, having conceded only 11 goals in 21 games and they have kept 12 clean sheets this term - more than any other Premier League side.
United do have a few selection problems and are without summer signing Owen Hargreaves, who has picked up a rib injury.
Wes Brown is suspended and Gary Neville is still not match fit despite making a goalscoring return for the reserves in midweek, so John O'Shea will fill in at right-back.
No club has beaten Newcastle more often in the Premier League than Manchester United (16 times) and a couple of in-form players will be out to destroy them again.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in tremendous form and is looking to claim his 20th goal in all competitions this season while Wayne Rooney will bid to improve his already impressive record of having scored seven career league goals in eight starts against Newcastle.
Rooney partners Carlos Tevez in attack for a game that looks a daunting one for the visitors.
Manchester United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.
Newcastle United: Given, Carr, Taylor, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Milner, Smith, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Owen.