Manchester United are to face yet another stiff test as they look to bring their season back on track when they invite Newcastle United to the Old Trafford.

Preview: Magpies to add to David Moyes’ misery

The Red Devils are currently on a downward spiral as far as performances are concerned with their loss against Everton at Old Trafford last time out spreading the difference between themselves and league leaders Arsenal to 12 points.

Man United have failed to register a win in any of their last three matches and their winless streak might last a little longer with the defending champions set to be without star strikers Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney for Saturday’s early kick off.

 

Wayne Rooney who picked up his fifth yellow card in the match against Everton, will serve his one match suspension in the subsequent match whereas Dutch striker Robin Van Persie is still nursing his groin injury which has kept him out for almost a month and David Moyes is unsure whether his star striker will be fit in time for the clash at Old Trafford.

"I don't know (when Robin will return). We've been trying to get him back for a few weeks," the Scot said.

"But he is not ready yet. It's his groin. It's a sore groin injury and nothing desperately serious."

The former Everton boss also expressed his grief at losing to his former club, a defeat he described as ‘sore’. But the Scot insisted that there is a lot of football still to be played and United can still make a comeback.

"I'm disappointed to lose, we missed some opportunities and Everton took theirs. It's a sore one against your old team," he added.

"We have a long way to go, we will need to play some great football and win an awful lot of games."

The Red Devils have uncharacteristically won only three of the seven matches they have played at home turf this season and even though United have not lost to the toons at home since February 1972, their current form does not warrant them the favorites tag.

After a successful month of November which saw Padrew’s men win all of their four league matches including victories over Chelsea and Tottenham, the Magpies failed to carry their good form to December losing 3-0 to Swansea in their last outing.

Alan Pardrew will however be confident ahead of the trip to Manchester and will be hoping to take full advantage of United’s poor run. Newcastle will begin the match in seventh place, one point better than Man United who can leapfrog their opponents if they can manage a win.

French pair Loic Remy and Yoan Gouffran will be vital to Newcaslte’s success with the duo having scored three goals each in the month of November. Remy who has eight goals to his name in 11 appearances is his club’s top scorer this season but has not scored against Man United in the three games he has played against the Red Devils.

Shola Ameobi is likely to partner the Frenchman upfront with Papiss Cisse having missed the match against Swansea due to a heel injury. Hatem Ben Arfa is also a doubt for Saturday’s encounter having missed the trip to Wales due to illness.

For Manchester United, Michael Carrick will continue to nurse his achilles injury whereas Robin Van Persie is unlikely to make a comeback.

Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live scores

Watch Manchester United vs Newcastle United live on Saturday, December 7, 2013:

In Canada at 7:45 ET on Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet East, TalkSport Radio, Sportsnet Ontario

In UK at 12:45 BST on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, BT Sport 1, MUTV Online

In USA at 7:45 ET on NBC Sports Live Extra, SiriusXM FC, Mun2, TalkSport Radio, NBC Sports Network

Fans in Australia can catch the action live on Fox Sports 1 Australia.

For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Manchester United vs Newcastle United match page.