Match info: Wednesday 4 March, 19:45 GMT. Follow text commentary in our live match blog while MUTV has live audio between its pre- and post-match programmes. In the UK, the game is live on BT Sport
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Scene-setter: United are desperate to continue the push for a top-four place and need to improve on a record of only three away wins in the Barclays Premier League this season. With a key FA Cup quarter-final encounter with Arsenal on the horizon, it is important to approach that fixture while maintaining a strong league position. Newcastle are out to avenge a 4-0 home drubbing in last year's clash at St James' Park as they look to post consecutive victories for the first time since 22 November, when a 1-0 success over QPR made it six on the spin.
Form guide: The Reds have won three of the last four games but are still not firing on all cylinders. The defeat at Swansea City in the last fixture on the road was a blow but, overall, the results have been largely positive with only one reverse in the last nine outings. Newcastle collected a second win since John Carver took charge when seeing off Aston Villa 1-0 at the weekend and have lost only once in their last five matches.
Team news: Robin van Persie is still out with an ankle injury while Luke Shaw and Phil Jones missed the win over Sunderland. Adnan Januzaj made a positive impression after replacing Angel Di Maria at the interval and Michael Carrick was on the bench following his lay-off. The hosts are without Siem De Jong, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor and Cheick Tiote through injury, while Jack Colback is suspended. Massadio Haidara (knee) was withdrawn against Villa but insists he will recover to play.
