Rooney is expected to return after being sidelined with a virus for over a week. The England international is set to start alongside Berbatov in attack.

While Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher  are all set to return to the starting XI, none of which were even on the bench during the Carling Cup Final. Rafael is still out, so John O’Shea appears to be a likely candidate  for the right-back position.

While Newcastle is just two points clear of the relegation zone, and has one of the longest injury list in the EPL with Nicky Butt, Damien Duff, Michael Owen, Habib Beye, Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton and Xisco all out with some kind of knock. Not to mention Kevin Nolan who was banned for his horrendous tackle on Victor Anichebe last week.

United is clearly the better team here but lets hope United don’t sink to Newcastle’s level of play. These games go one of two ways either the better team dominates and wins 3-0 or they sink to the level of the weaker team and get pulled into an all out brawl. Usually the team who dishes out the most pain comes out on top. We don’t need any injuries so lets hope United can outplay Newcastle.

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