The Magpies won 1-0 at Old Trafford in December in the first of consecutive home defeats for David Moyes and even darker times have followed for the United boss.
However, a spirited draw against European kings Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday proved that the Red Devils can still mix it with the best on their day.
United fans will tell you that their day has not come around very often this season and that is why they are only eight points above Newcastle, compared to 41 as they were at the same stage last term.
Moyes can put to bed any fears that the Tyneside outfit could yet leapfrog his side in the table with victory this weekend, although some players may be rested ahead of the huge trip to Germany on Wednesday.
Juan Mata, who scored his first United goal in the 4-1 success over Aston Villa, is ineligible for continental competition so should be recalled, and Patrice Evra is available after serving a European suspension.
Ryan Giggs is likely to be saved for Munich and so too could Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia, whose pace will give the English champions a counter-attacking threat at the Allianz Arena.
Injuries to Rafael, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Alexander Buttner may force Moyes to use Michael Carrick as a makeshift centre-back should he choose to give Rio Ferdinand a break against Newcastle.
With Robin van Persie sidelined, Wayne Rooney will continue as the main striker. Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young and Adnan Januzaj could all be restored in a much-changed midfield.
Newcastle will be without Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy for another week, while Moussa Sissoko and Tim Krul could miss a further fortnight due to hamstring and knee problems respectively.
Second-choice goalkeeper Rob Elliot put in a fine display last weekend despite conceding four in the heavy defeat to Southampton, which may prompt manager Alan Pardew into defensive changes.
The 52-year-old, who is serving game five of his seven-match touchline ban, could drop Massadio Haidara and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and recall Davide Santon and Paul Dummett at full-back.
Yoan Gouffran is likely to be asked to drop back into a midfield three to compensate for Sissoko's absence, with Hatem Ben Arfa playing in behind Papiss Cisse and the still-goalless Luuk de Jong.
Recent form
Newcastle: LLWLWW
Man United: DWLWWL
Possible starting lineups
Newcastle: Elliot; Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Tiote, Anita, Gouffran; Ben Arfa; De Jong, Cisse
United: De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Carrick, Evra; Young, Cleverley, Fletcher, Januzaj; Mata; Rooney
Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk
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