Manchester United

The league leaders saw their hopes of a Treble go up in smoke when they were beaten by local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday but can resume normal service on Tyneside.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson has historically made a point of highlighting the need for his team to be in contention for the title in advance of the Easter period and there is enough evidence to suggest they should come through an awkward assignment in the north east and stay on track for a record 19th domestic crown.

The game’s longest-serving manager will have taken some consolation from Arsenal’s failure to beat Liverpool on Sunday, meaning the north Londoners now trail United by six points, and the return of Wayne Rooney is a crucial shot in the arm.

The England striker was inspirational without scoring in the Champions League decider against Chelsea at Old Trafford and his mobility will cause a vulnerable Newcastle defence plenty of headaches.

Ferguson’s thinly-veiled criticism of Dimitar Berbatov’s profligacy at Wembley on Saturday would also lend itself to the suggestion that the 22-goal Bulgarian will make way for the returning Rooney – and reignite conjecture about his future at Old Trafford.

United have looked far-from-convincing on their travels in the Premier League – they have only managed five wins – and they can expect a strong opening from a Newcastle side fresh from a nine-day break.

Alan Pardew has already said he will not spare good friend Ferguson any sentiment and he has his own motive for picking up three vital points given that Newcastle are just six points off third-from-bottom Blackpool.

Inconsistency has cost the Magpies on home soil and it is difficult to envisage which Newcastle will turn up when United roll into town.

The 18/5 about Newcastle spoiling the party for United makes for little appeal, but, by the same token, the 7/10 on offer for a Manchester United win is hardly a price to whet the appetite.

The 17/2 about Newcastle in the half-time lead and fail to win market, which also factors in the draw, could appeal to the more speculative punter anticipating a strong start from the side before a rally from the visitors.

An alternative way in could be to take the 8/1 about Manchester United to win from behind or, at a far juicier price of 25/1, take the Newcastle-Manchester United outcome in the half-time full-time market.

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