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TEAM NEWS FOR NEWCASTLE ENCOUNTER

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about his plans for our opening game of 2019 - Wednesday's Premier League encounter at Newcastle United (20:00 GMT kick-off).

The Reds have won all three games of Ole's temporary stint in charge so far in convincing fashion, and are looking to keep the fine run going when tackling Rafael Benitez's Magpies at St. James' Park.

One player definitely ruled out is defender Eric Bailly, who is suspended after being sent off against Bournemouth for a reckless challenge on Ryan Fraser.

Matteo Darmian will provide cover with Phil Jones likely to start alongside Victor Lindelof, after coming off the bench in the 4-1 victory over the Cherries. Chris Smalling, who might return in time for the game against Tottenham Hotspur on 13 January, and Marcos Rojo are still sidelined.

When asked if he will only have two centre-backs available for the trip to Tyneside, Solskjaer replied: “That’s enough isn’t it? It should be enough with two! We’ll have to look at it, of course, but we’ve got Darmian, who can definitely play centre-back. I don’t think Rojo will make it so it will probably be Darmian as back-up centre-back.”

Chilean star Alexis Sanchez is set to feature for the first time under the Norwegian after being close to making the bench at the weekend.

“Alexis has had some great training sessions over the last few days and wanted to be here [against Bournemouth] as well but we’ve had to manage him,” explained Ole. “He’s been out for a month. He will be involved [at Newcastle], yes.

”He wants to play all the time, he’s one of those characters. He made himself available but I think it was a few days too early for him. He’s not had enough fitness work but he is champing at the bit.

“I think Alexis is a player that would benefit from the interchanging, rotation and movements and, of course, more chances. If we create more chances and get the ball in the final third, he will be an asset for us. On the floor, in between or in behind, I think he’s looking forward to it. Certainly, it’s looked like it in the session the other day when he scored quite a few nice goals and that was encouraging.”

Marcus Rashford is in red-hot form and should shrug off any fatigue in order to face Newcastle, although Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring return to the fold does provide another option for Solskjaer.

“I think Marcus would be okay,” added the caretaker boss. “He’s been working so hard and has been a bit tired. But I think he will be alright [for Newcastle]. I hope so.”

There could be some rotation within the squad, although it is probable there will be more changes for the Emirates FA Cup tie against Reading on Saturday, in order to ensure some individuals receive adequate rest in this busy period.

HOW ARE NEWCASTLE SHAPING UP?

The Magpies left Kenedy out of the side for the 1-1 draw at Watford last time out, with Benitez explaining the decision was a “technical” one rather than due to injury.

Ki Sung-yeung is absent due to his involvement with South Korea in the Asian Cup but Japan have allowed Yoshinori Muto to head off after the match with United. Jonjo Shelvey, who has performed well against the Reds in the past, is back from a thigh problem.

The home side are likely to play with three central defenders but Federico Fernandez (hip) and Ciaran Clark (ankle) are doubts, while Florian Lejeune may not be ready in time after his lay-off.

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YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO NEWCASTLE V UNITED

Manchester United start 2019 with a trip to Tyneside to face Newcastle United on Wednesday night, hoping to continue our impressive form of late.

In our fourth match in the space of 11 days during the busy festive period, the Reds will be looking for a fourth successive victory under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and to begin the New Year on a positive note in our continued bid to climb the Premier League table.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of our midweek match in the North East...

WHAT'S THE TEAM NEWS?
The Reds were boosted by the return of Anthony Martial as a starter and Romelu Lukaku as a substitute in Sunday's 4-1 success over Bournemouth. Solskjaer has previously suggested that Alexis Sanchez will be available for Wednesday's game after several weeks out with a hamstring injury. Eric Bailly is set to start a three-match ban after his straight red card against the Cherries at the weekend, while fellow defender Chris Smalling is expected to continue on the sidelines as he recovers from a sore foot. It remains to be seen if Marcos Rojo and Scott McTominay will return, after the pair stepped up their involvement in training last week but didn't feature in the matchday squad against Bournemouth.

HOW ABOUT NEWCASTLE?
Jonjo Shelvey was back for the Magpies as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Watford as the influential former Liverpool man made his first appearance since the start of November after recovering from a thigh injury. It comes as fellow midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has departed for international duty with South Korea, who compete in the Asian Cup this month. Boss Rafael Benitez is also set to be without goalkeeper Karl Darlow (elbow) and defenders Ciaran Clark (ankle) and Florian Lejeune (knee) again.

WHAT'S NEWCASTLE'S FORM LIKE?
The Magpies have largely struggled to hit the heights of last season, when they finished 10th in their first campaign back in the top flight following promotion from the Championship. Our next opponents have won just one of their last seven league games, drawing three and losing three, having won three in a row prior to this recent run. In particular, Benitez's side have found the going tough in front of their own fans, winning just twice at St. James' Park so far in 2018/19 - against Watford and Bournemouth, back in November. Their last home outing was a disappointing goalless draw against bottom club Fulham on 22 December. The Magpies have two further tough games this month in the league, away at Chelsea and home to champions Manchester City.

HOW GOOD IS OUR RECORD AGAINST NEWCASTLE?
The Reds will take on the Magpies for the 167th time in all competitions on Wednesday night. The first meeting of the sides came back in April 1895, which we won 5-1 at Bank Street in the old Second Division. In total, the Reds have beaten the Tyneside outfit on 85 occasions with an overall win-percentage of 51.2 per cent, while there have been 39 draws and Newcastle have won 42 times. It will also be our 81st trip to St. James' Park, where we were beaten 1-0 in last season's corresponding fixture after Matt Ritchie's second-half strike. However, the Reds produced an epic comeback from 2-0 down to see off Benitez's side 3-2 at Old Trafford in October's reverse fixture, thanks to a late Alexis header.

ONE TO WATCH
Salomon Rondon has had an impact in his debut season at Newcastle, following his summer arrival from West Bromwich Albion. The experienced Venezuelan striker has led the line well, sometimes on his own, and chipped in with five goals and two assists so far this term in the Premier League. He was also on target in their 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup second round. Rondon put in a Man-of-the-Match display in the 1-1 draw at Watford last time out, in which he scored a header in the first half and also had two further efforts ruled out for offside. The no.9 wasn't in the squad when Newcastle were beaten at Old Trafford earlier in the season but he'll be keen to add to the solitary goal he's scored in his five previous career appearances against the Reds.

WHO IS THE REFEREE?
Andre Marriner will be the man in charge on Wednesday night. It's the West Midlands whistler's third United match of the campaign but his first away from home, after handling our 2-1 win over Leicester City on the opening weekend and last month's 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford. The experienced official has brandished 52 yellow cards, sent off two players and awarded three penalties in 17 games in all competitions so far this term. He will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Simon Long, while the fourth official will be Stuart Attwell.

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