Friday 26 December 2014

Manchester United v Newcastle United preview: Are United really title contenders?



Liverpool proved what can be achieved with a devastating attack and an absence of European commitments last season, but surely Chelsea or Manchester City will be too strong in 2014/15. Boss Louis van Gaal clearly fancies a title sho though – speaking of his frustration at the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa and the impact it could have on his sides’ title hopes. 

United are 10 points adrift of Chelsea at the Premier League summit, making their match against Newcastle a must-win.


TEAM NEWS


Defender Chris Smalling is making a good recovery from his groin injury and could play in Manchester United's Boxing Day match against Newcastle. Midfielders Ander Herrera (muscle injury), Marouane Fellaini (illness) and Daley Blind (knee) are out. Left-back Luke Shaw (ankle) is also unavailable and Marcos Rojo is a major doubt because of the thigh injury that has sidelined him for the last two matches.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be without midfield enforcer Cheick Tiote through suspension. The Ivory Coast international picked up his fifth booking of the season during Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Sunderland and will sit out along with goalkeeper Tim Krul, who is a week ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ankle injury, but like number two Rob Elliot (thigh), still has some way to go. 

Striker Papiss Cisse continues to battle the after-effects of knee surgery and a virus, while midfielders Mehdi Abeid (toe) and Siem de Jong (thigh) are back in training but unavailable for the game at Old Trafford, and Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Gabriel Obertan (thigh) and Ryan Taylor (knee) remain on the sidelines.

- Source: Eurosport 

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