MANCHESTER UNITED v NEWCASTLE - MORE NIGHTMARES FOR RUDDERLESS TOON AT THEATRE OF DREAMS?
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League record for United against Newcastle makes ominous reading for the Toon this weekend. The away side have won just 3 times in 28 meetings with the Red Devils, losing a total of 16 times in the process. Newcastle’s record at Old Trafford is even poorer, the Theatre of Dreams has been more of a nightmare for the Geordies, as they have not won there for 36 years. Newcastle have now appointed 15 different permanent managers since Joe Harvey’s Magpies side last won at Old Trafford back in February 1972. Despite such damning statistics, Newcastle do possess a much maligned manager in Big Sam who has won twice at O.T. in his managerial career, oh wait a minute, no they don’t, Allardyce has gone after just 8 months and 8 wins in 24 games (all comps). After mounting criticism from the St James’ hordes, the former England managerial hopeful and ex-Bolton boss departed in the usual Premier League manner, by ‘mutual consent’ on Wednesday evening.
Whilst manager of Bolton, Allardyce won back-to-back Premier League matches at Old Trafford in 2001 and 2002. It is hard to see manager-less Newcastle doing the same after failing to win in their last 4 Premier League games, including 3 straight defeats. Their away form is also poor with just 1 win recorded in their last 9 matches. Even that win was a touch fortunate with jailbird Joey Barton netting a last minute penalty at Fulham.
United on the other hand continue to play catch-up with League leaders Arsenal, they have lost just once in the last 7 matches (winning 6). They remain unbeaten at home this season and have scored in 17 of their last 18 games so they will fancy their chances of beating a struggling Newcastle side seriously lacking in confidence. Another hammer blow to Newcastle’s hopes of a shock win is the absence of their African contingent of Geremi, Beye, Faye and Martins on top of Barton’s extended leave after yet another unsavoury incident.
The pressure on Big Sam may have been unbearable but whoever replaces him as the new Newcastle manager will face tough fixtures against Arsenal (away) and Stoke (home) so expect defeat on Saturday and an increasingly miserable start to the year for Newcastle.
Pundit’s Pick: No mercy for the Toon (home win)
Tags: 12/01/08, Manchester United, Newcastle, Old Trafford, Premier League preview, Red Devils, Sam Allardyce, Toon
