Pardew hits back at criticism
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has hit back at criticism of his time in charge at Newcastle, insisting he is not to blame for the Magpies' slide towards the relegation zone.
Newcastle have won only two of the 15 games since Pardew left the club in January and eight defeats in a row have left John Carver's side just two points above the bottom three.
Speaking to the Evening Chronicle, former chairman Freddy Shepherd claimed it is Pardew who should take responsibility for the team's struggles and that he "didn't leave Carver any favours".
Pardew, who has steered Palace above Newcastle to 12th in the table, dismissed Shepherd's assessment and says he hopes the Magpies can secure a valuable win over West Brom on Saturday.
"That's typically unfair of that individual and that paper," Pardew said. "The local paper at Newcastle makes it very difficult for the manager.
"The players they have are trying their very, very best to get the club over the line. The group is short of confidence, I hope they gain that this Saturday and John Carver and the team can get them across the line.
"The players we had were tremendous during the time I was there and the results we had until I left were pretty excellent in terms of where we were.
"I'm not here to defend that situation, all I can say is I really hope Newcastle win on Saturday. It's a big game for them."
Pardew has no injury concerns. Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh are both available again after recovering from hamstring injuries while Joel Ward played 90 minutes against Chelsea last weekend, having overcome a shin complaint.
Wilfried Zaha is set to face United for the first time since he left Old Trafford to rejoin Palace permanently in the January transfer window.
Michael Carrick will not play again for Manchester United this season because of a calf injury.
Carrick has not played since suffering the injury against Manchester City on April 12.
It was hoped that the midfielder would return, but he has no chance of featuring in the final three games of the season, Louis van Gaal said.
"Carrick shall not play this season any more," the United manager told a press conference. "We have to focus on next season for him."
Van Gaal revealed during the press conference that a number of his players are doubtful for Saturday's game after a virus swept through the squad.
"We have a virus in our dressing room," Van Gaal said. "I have a little bit of pain in the throat. (James) Wilson also has had that for one week but is recovering now. Maybe he can be on the bench (at Palace).
"A lot of players are suffering (from it)."
The good news for Van Gaal is that defenders Jonny Evans (sciatica) and Marcos Rojo (adductor) are in contention for a place in the squad for the trip to London after overcoming their respective injury problems.
Van Gaal made his first signing of the summer on Thursday when he agreed to buy Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven for B#25million.
Van Gaal has a good relationship with Depay after handing him his international debut for Holland in 2013. The 21-year-old was also part of Van Gaal's World Cup squad, helping them finish third in the tournament following a semi-final elimination by Argentina.
Source: PAR
