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Who’s the “wee club” now, United?

Javier HernandezNever have the words “must win games” and “need to bounce back” been used so often when talking about Manchester United. Not in the last two decades anyway, for during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, setbacks were nothing if not a platform to propel United towards more success and trophies.

This season, unfortunately, lows have been more common than highs and, after a positive run which saw the Reds going 12 games unbeaten, United were outplayed and beaten at home by Everton on Wednesday night, the Toffees’ first win at Old Trafford in 20 years.

Another team that has not tasted victory at Old Trafford in a long time visit United tomorrow, while the Reds need pick themselves up as soon as possible if they’re to keep their hopes of top four finish alive, never mind winning the title which, despite Moyes’ defiant attitude, surely is beyond our reach now.

Newcastle haven’t won away at United in their last 31 attempts or, to be more precise, since February 1972 but, much like Everton did on Wednesday, they’ll fancy their chances like they’ve done very rarely over the 42 years that have passed since they last left Old Trafford with a smile on their faces.

United, has it’s been made abundantly clear this season, no longer possess the aura capable to scare teams from the word go nor, it seems, are they capable to instil any sort of fear into their opponents with their performances on the pitch, which have ranged from the dire but efficient to the dull and shambolic.

Truth be told, the Magpies remain one of the Premier League’s unresolved enigmas for a run of four consecutive wins – which included successes over Chelsea and Spurs – was brought to an thumping end as Pardew’s men crashed to a somewhat unexpected 3-0 defeat at Swansea during the week.

However, Newcastle arrive at Old Trafford a point above United and will be relieved to know that Robin Van Persie is unlikely to feature against them tomorrow.

RVP has scored six in the last seven league starts against Newcastle and his absence is likely to be felt even more as United will also be without Wayne Rooney, who picked up a needless booking against Everton, which means Moyes is likely to opt for Javier Hernandez – who scored a dramatic last-minute winner in the corresponding fixture on Boxing Day last season – up-front.

After impressing against Leverkusen in his preferred number 10 role, Shinji Kagawa struggled to come up with the goods against Spurs and Everton, and today Moyes admitted that the Japanese has been unwell during the week, meaning he might miss out tomorrow.

If that was the case, would Marouane Fellaini be pushed further up the pitch, given that the alternative would be an obsolete 4-4-2 with Danny Welbeck and Hernandez up-front, or will Moyes confirm the Belgian in midfield, where he performed well against Everton?

Nani and Adnan Januzaj must also be considered as United were desperate for a bit of creativity against Everton, while Jonny Evans could return in a United back four that will have to keep a close eye on Loic Remy and Yoan Gouffran, as the pair could be joined by Hatem Ben Arfa, who missed the defeat at Swansea through illness.

The Reds have scored seven goals in the last two meetings against Newcastle and anything apart from three points would be a huge blow to United’s already stuttering campaign. Not to mention that the “wee club” jokes would be insufferable.

Dan