With the two teams facing each other this weekend relive the year the went head to head for the league title Premier League season: 1995-96
For two seasons now, United's midfield has been an area of concern amongst supporters. Most expected a replacement for now-retired Paul Scholes to be introduced during the summer and even on deadline-day the rumour mill was whirring about the potential for a last-minute attempt to buy Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan. However, neither Sneijder, nor Luka Modric or Samir Nasri, two other players Ferguson was heavily linked with, were signed.
It didn't seem to matter when Tom Cleverley started the campaign so well. But Cleverley has been sidelined by two injuries, the latest of which, to his ankle, he is not expected back from until the Festive programme. With Anderson now ruled out as well, Ferguson's options have been depleted significantly.
Yet the United boss still cannot see anyone around who he could realistically sign that would improve his squad. So, with Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones all capable of filling a central berth, Ferguson intends to stick with what he has got.
"It is dead easy to say you are going to buy a player but it is not easy to buy players for Manchester United, particularly in January," said Ferguson. "I don't see anyone who could make us a better team from the ones who are possibly available. "I could choose two or three players who I would like to have at this club but they are not available. There would be no point even going there."
Ferguson is hardly likely to admit any concerns about his personnel, and in his defence, Michael Carrick in particular has performed well in the last two games and was arguably United's best player in midweek. However, the Red Devils chief does concede the return of Cleverley would be pretty handy at the end of a typically arduous December period.
"We are not as bad as people think," said Ferguson. "Ryan Giggs gives you experience. Michael Carrick had a bit of a problem with his Achilles in the early season but he is over that now and his form in the last two games has been outstanding. "Darren Fletcher, given the right preparation, is always a very good player for us. "But getting Cleverley back at Christmas time would be a bonus because he is such a clever footballer."
The return of Rooney from a hip problem and skipper Nemanja Vidic's availability after suspension offers Ferguson the additional options he needs for the visit of the Magpies.
Gabriel Obertan has promised there is more to come from him as he prepares to make his first return to Old Trafford. The 22-year-old Frenchman left Old Trafford during the summer after two frustrating seasons after Newcastle boss Alan Pardew persuaded him he could fulfil his potential on Tyneside.
A toe infection has sidelined him for the last two games, but the former Bordeaux midfielder has returned to fitness in the nick of time for a fixture he will relish more than most.
He said: "I think my last game against Stoke was my best game for the club so far, so I think I am getting the tempo of the Premier League and I am getting to know my team-mates better as well, so everything is working fine. "I just need to maybe score a few goals now and to keep making assists, and it will be great. "It's only been 10 games, so I think I can do a lot better. That's the way I think, and hopefully I will do it."
Obertan arrived at United during the summer of 2009, but made just 13 senior starts as he struggled to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's plans on a sustained basis. He understandably has regrets that his time at Old Trafford did not work out as he might have hoped, but has no complaints about the latest change of direction in his career path.
He said: "It's never nice to leave such a club. There might be some regret, but after the start we have had, I can't have those regrets anymore because after 12 games, we are still in the top six. It's just great."
Ivory Coast international Cheik Tiote (knee) and Republic of Ireland striker Leon Best (groin) remain doubts and Sylvain Marveaux is expected to be sidelined for up to four months after undergoing groin surgery.
Man Utd V Newcastle - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: DSG
