Wayne Rooney was goalless yet again as Manchester United and Newcastle United fought out a 0-0 draw.
Manchester United host cellar-dwellers Newcastle United at Old Trafford. Join us live from 9:45pm (AEST) for this third week EPL fixture.
Manchester United are unbeaten in all competitions this year, but still with plenty of questions over their squad, primarily why Wayne Rooney can’t find the back of the net.
Rooney has a record of 12 goals from 20 EPL appearances against Newcastle – as well as seven assists – so may be a chance to break his bad run of form today.
Manchester United have recorded two 1-0 wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa to date, and kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge on Tuesday.
While United haven’t necessarily impressed with their form so far in the EPL, that mid-week European win might give them the boost they need to improve.
Newcastle meanwhile come to the Theatre of Dreams after two consecutive 2-0 losses, and are on a run of losing their last seven Premier League away fixtures in a row.
Historically they’ve lost 25 matches to Manchester United, more than they have to any other side.
New Newcastle signing Thauvin – who is manager Steve McClaren’s fifth signing after Georginio Wijnaldum, Ivan Toney, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba – is set to be thrown straight into the starting XI, with Daryl Janmaat serving his suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences in last weekend’s defeat at Swansea City.
For United, Marroane Fellani serves the last of his three-game ban this weekend, Phil Jones misses the match due to a mild case of deep vein thrombosis, and Bastian Schweinsteiger looks set to make his starting debut for the club.
Prediction
Newcastle United have only won once at Old Trafford since 1973, and Louis Van Gaal’s side look likely to get the job done once again. They’ve kicked eight goals in the last three meetings between these sides, and have conceded only one.
United to win by an easy three goals.
Tony Innocent
Guest
Nice counter by United finds Rooney on the left of the box, he clips a cross to the far post where Mata runs onto it and volleys an effort, but it sails high and wide. Mata tumbles in the box under the challenge of Colback, but it looked like the Newcastle man got the ball there.
Ethan Purdon
Roar Rookie
I think Memphis could have done better
Ethan Purdon
Roar Rookie
They are looking to get Neymar next season
johnto20
Roar Rookie
Highlights how Man Utd need to spend on a new forward
Zee
Roar Guru
FT Manchester United 0 Newcastle United 0 ... Missed oppurtunities galore for both sides. Memphis all over the place, Newcastle's defense very, very impressive. Very exciting end to the match, and 2nd half, LVG though, will NOT be happy, if this doesn't sound alarm bells regarding our attack, than I don't know what does. No potent finishers in the team at the moment, ah well MOTM in my opinion, Tim Krul,,, absolute beast, B E A S T ...
Zee
Roar Guru
`92 Carrick SHOOOOOTS... it takes a deflection Depay takes corner, Krul gets first dibs on it.. United again, Blind, Valencia, Blind Again, finds Dbemba who smashes it away for a throw in
Zee
Roar Guru
`92 4 mins added time Frantic desperation from both sides. United on the attack now
Zee
Roar Guru
`89 An Unexpected Corner for United, Dbemba heads the ball out SMALLING INCHES FROM GIVING UNITED A WINNER. Now Newcastle are 3 on 1 on the attack... Cisse pans into to Thuivan but it misses him by an inch. MUFC 0 NUFC 0
Zee
Roar Guru
`85 Depay's corner sees United go out wide on attack, nothing is sticking. Newcastle are reading everything. Carrick tries to ignite something with Smalling. Memphis and Shaw tee up together, the ball goes to Carrick yet again, on the other end... Blind, passes it to Carrick, who passes it to Rooney... then Rooney is stupidly penalized ... for bumping into Colback ... Rooney goes on an expletive verbal to the referee ... .... NU Sub - Cisse ON ... Mitcovic OFF MUFC 0 NUFC 0
Zee
Roar Guru
`84 Valencia tries to clatter the ball into the net, but Colocini's humerous nudges it for a corner,Mata taes it, but Cisse heads it away for another corner. MUFC 0 NUFC 0
Zee
Roar Guru
The Guy is just insanely insane. Absolute Rock
Zee
Roar Guru
`79 YOUR SO KRUL..... this guy is a saving Machine, he blocks Chicharito's strong attempt at goal, with perfection. He holds out the home side YET again
AZ_RBB
Guest
What an absolutely extraordinary save from Krul. That's a goal every day of the week.
Zee
Roar Guru
`76 United's last Sub comes in the form, of the very impressive Matteo Darmian coming off for Antonio Valencia. Matteo gets a standing ovation from the OT faithful. While Newcastle's Perez comes off for Tiote MUFC 0 NUFC 0
Zee
Roar Guru
`73 United conjure up a great attacking break, Rooney plays it to Mata, who hits a very ugly, wide and high ball.. ... missed chances spraying everywhere. MUFC 0 NUFC 0
Zee
Roar Guru
`71 Thuavin has got the traveling support very lively.. makes an impact early when he thuds hernandez to the floor to score away the ball. United regain the ball, and are on the attack, Stretford end are chanting "Attack, Attack, Attack", but it falls on deaf ears, as Newcastle regain possession MUFC -0 NUFC -0
Zee
Roar Guru
`68 Next change is from NU,,, Obertan off for Newcastle new boy Thuavin
Zee
Roar Guru
`66 Another change for United Adnan Januzah comes off for Chicharito ... Great, great shift by Adnan. Lets see what Javier can do here. MUFC -0 NUFC -0
Zee
Roar Guru
`62 Depay with another shot at goal, but it takes a deflection off Newcastle. Corner for M United Mata takes it ... Smalling almost gets his toes onto it.. but he just misses. Another missed chance MUFC -0 NUFC -0
Zee
Roar Guru
`58 First substituion of the match comes from United. Bastian Schweinsteger comes off, for Michael Carrick MUFC -0 NUFC -0