With a mid-season run of fine results, Alan Pardew’s departure, fan protests and a difficult start for new boss John Carver, it’s been a rollercoaster season for Newcastle United so far.
Currently sitting in 11th in the Barclays Premier League, largely thanks to points gathered during a great sequence of wins in October and November, the Magpies’ form has dipped significantly under Carver, as they have won just twice from his nine league fixtures in charge. A 5-0 capitulation at Manchester City in February was particularly painful and was dubbed “pathetic” by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.
However, the Magpies have done reasonably well at St James' Park, winning six of their 13 home league games in 2014/15 including the visits from Chelsea and Liverpool. However, they have lost to Manchester City and Southampton on Tyneside, as well as Sunderland in a bitter derby defeat.
Last season’s corresponding fixture was one of the highlights of the Reds’ campaign, with goals from Javier Hernandez, Adnan Januzaj and a double from Juan Mata securing a comfortable 4-0 away win. Earlier this season, Louis Van Gaal’s side overcame the Magpies 3-1 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, with Wayne Rooney firing two first-half goals from midfield, and Robin van Persie heading in a third during the second half.
Ahead of Wednesday's match, Newcastle are struggling with one of the worst injury lists in the Barclays Premier League. Siem De Jong, Remy Cabella, Cheick Tiote, Steven Taylor,
