United edged to a nervy 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday after kicking off 2016 with a 2-1 victory over Swansea City.
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Louis van Gaal’s team have kept a league-high 10 clean sheets this season but they have only kept one in their last five league matches. The latest news is that winger Jesse Lingaard is now fit to play, but will probably start on the bench at St. James’ Park as he makes his return to the side after injury.
Newcastle have suffered 25 Premier League defeats against Manchester United; their joint-highest tally in the competition against an opponent (alongside Arsenal).
Newcastle on the other hand are in dire need of a positive result themselves as the Geordies now occupy 18th spot in the table so Steve McClaren will be hoping to move out of the relegation zone with a win on home soil.
Wayne Rooney has scored 12 Premier League goals against Newcastle United – only against Aston Villa (13) has he scored more often.
The Red Devils have lost their last two Premier League away games (at Bournemouth and Stoke) – they have not lost three successive top-flight away matches since January 1996.
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The Spaniard signed for United in the summer of 2011, making his debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield soon after, but very almost departed for Real Madrid in August until a last-minute collapse saw him remain at Old Trafford.
