Newcastle vs Manchester United preview: Two out-of-sorts sides meet at St James' Park

A look ahead to the Premier League meeting at St James Park

Wayne Rooney is congratulated by his Manchester United team-mates (GETTY IMAGES)

Two teams who have been struggling for form in recent weeks with only three wins between them in a combined fourteen games face off at St James' Park on Tuesday.

Newcastle come into the game without scoring a single goal in their last three league games, in which each have ended in 1-0 defeats to Everton, West Brom and table toppers Arsenal respectively.

Manchester United will be looking for a run of consistent results after picking up an all-important three points at home to Swansea where Wayne Rooney was the match winner, whilst also moving ever closer to Bobby Charlton’s all-time top scorer record of which Rooney is now only 11 goals behind the United legend.

Recent form

Newcastle: WDLLLL

Manchester United: LLLDWW

Team news

Newcastle could be without a number of first team players with captain Fabricio Coloccini, Kevin Mbabu and Florian Thauvin all doubtful for the clash on Tuesday.

However, they have been handed an injury boost with midfielder Jack Colback back in full training after missing the FA cup defeat against Watford at the weekend.

Louis Van Gaal will be without German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger who picked up a knee injury during the narrow 1-0 win over League 1 Sheffield United at Old Trafford. He also faces a race against time to be fit in a crucial clash against Liverpool on Sunday.

Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Young and Michael Carrick could all return after being ruled out of the FA cup fixture at the weekend through injury.

Memphis Depay will be pushing for a start after his impressive performance off the bench against Sheffield United which could come at the expense of Juan Mata who struggled to make an impact against the Blades.

The Red Devils remain without Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo who are long term absentees.