So impressive has been Manchester United’s resurgence under Louis van Gaal that the draw at Aston Villa was greeted by dismay by the manager and players after six consecutive wins in the league. Newcastle United arrive having lost their past two, a resounding 4-1 defeat at Arsenal and the late 1-0 Tyne-Wear derby reverse, so their manager, Alan Pardew, is once again in need-of-a-win mode. Jamie Jackson

Kick-off Friday 3pm

Venue Old Trafford

Last season Man Utd 0 Newcastle Utd 1

Live BT Sport 1

Referee M Jones

This season G10, Y26, R2, 2.8 cards per game

Odds H 2-5 A 17-2 D 4-1

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Vermijl, Amos, Thorpe, Rothwell, Anderson, Januzaj, Blackett, McNair, Da Silva, Di María, Lingard, Smalling

Doubtful Lingard, Smalling (both match fitness)

Injured Blind (knee, Jan), Fellaini (ill, 28 Dec), Herrera (knock, unknown), Rojo (thigh, Jan), Shaw (ankle, Jan)

Suspended None

Form WWWWWD

Discipline Y32 R3

Leading scorer Van Persie 7

Newcastle United

Subs from Woodman, Williamson, Streete, Haïdara, Cabella, Cissé, Rivière, Armstrong

Doubtful Cissé (knee), S Taylor (face)

Injured Aarons (hamstring, Jan), Abeid (foot, unknown), Krul (ankle, Jan), Obertan (thigh, unknown), R Taylor (knee, Jan), Santon (knee, Jan)

Suspended Tioté (one match)

Form WLDWLL

Discipline Y38 R3

Leading scorer Cissé 7