Newcastle United v Manchester United: Five classic encounters

Manchester United head to St James' Park this afternoon to take on Alan Pardew's Newcastle United and with the likes of Demba Ba, Wayne Rooney, Papiss Cisse and Robin van Persie on the pitch this should be a cracking encounter.

Games between these two do not need to be talked up. Sir Alex and Alan Pardew will both be setting out their sides to win and there should be goals galore. But let's take a trip down memory lane and turn the spotlight on five of the most recent classic games between them, starting with Newcastle's 3-0 win last season.

Newcastle United 3 Manchester United 0

2012 FA Premier League

Wonder strikes from Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye dealt another blow to Manchester United's title hopes. The reigning champions were hoping to bounce back after Blackburn's shock victory at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve. Sir Alex Ferguson's side faced an in-form Newcastle United. The Toon were once again a force to be reckoned with. After years in the wilderness the Geordies were challenging for a place in Europe.

The goals of Demba Ba played a big part in the Tyneside resurgence. Alan Padew pulled off a master stroke when he signed Ba on a free transfer from West Han in July 2011. The Senegalese striker was proving to be a bargain. Ba had bagged 14 goals in the first half of the season, but none of those matched his belter against United.

In the 33rd minute, Tim Krul's long goal kick was flicked on by Shola Ameobi. Ba latched on to the loose ball, swivelled and volleyed an unstoppable shot past Anders Lindegaard.

Another sublime effort doubled the home side's advantage. Two minutes into the second half Newcastle were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Cabaye curled a beauty into the top corner. The visitors' misery was completed in stoppage time when Phil Jones turned the ball into his own net.

The memorable victory was a highlight in Newcastle's splendid season, the Toon's fifth place finish earning them a place in the Europa League. Manchester United finished the season empty handed.

 

Newcastle United 1 Manchester United 5
2009 FA Premier League
 
Manchester United produced a magnificent display to boast their title hopes. Cristiano Ronaldo was the tormentor in chief. The Portuguese winger scored twice during this one-sided encounter.   
 
Ronaldo was at the heart of United's opener. His 21st minute cross was volleyed home by Wayne Rooney. Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet just before the break. Michael Carrick's through ball put Ronaldo in the clear. With the goal at his mercy the wide man calmy slotted his shot past Shay Given. Ten minutes into the second half Ronaldo made it three. The United talisman rounded Given and tapped the ball into an empty net.

The home side pulled one back when Abdoulaye Faye headed in James Milner's corner, but Newcastle's joy was short lived. Rooney 's curling shot made it 4-1 after 80 minutes. A tidy finish from Louis Saha completed the rout.
 
The St James' Park mauling proved too much for Kevin Keegan. Shortly afterwards he resigned as Newcastle manager. It was a sad end to his second spell as the Geordies boss. Alan Shearer took over in the hot seat. The change in management failed to spark a revival, a last day defeat to Aston Villa consigned Newcastle United to Championship  football.

Manchester United went on to win the title.

 
 
Newcastle United 2 Manchester United 6
2003 FA Premier League

St James' Park has been a happy hunting ground for Manchester United. The North West side tend to enjoy their trips to Tyneside. This encounter was again dominated by the team in red.

Newcastle must have thought it was going to be their day when Jermaine Jenas gave them an early lead. The midfielder netted with a glorious volley. The goal  stung United into action. Ole Gunnar Solkskjear restored parity when he turned in Ryan Giggs' cross. The next 10 minutes belonged to Paul Scholes. After 34 minutes he rounded off a slick one touch move. Moments later Scholes scored a cracker, his well struck shot gave the visitors a 3-1 lead.

The first half onslaught continued. John O'Shea's stinging drive struck the crossbar, Ryan Giggs gobbled up the rebound and the visitors were 4-1 up. A dejected Newcastle United trooped off at half time, damage limitation was now top of the agenda.

The second half continued in the same pattern though. Manchester United went  five up when Scholes completed his hat-trick. The England international tapped in Gary Neville's cross. The Toon were hit for six as Ruud Van Nistlerooy scored from the penalty spot. The Dutchman netted after Titus Bramble hauled down Diego Forlan. Shola Ameobi's late goal gave the scoreline a measure of respectability.    But the St James' spoils again belonged to Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

 
 
Newcastle United 5 Manchester United 0
1996 FA Premier League
 
Kevin Keegan's entertainers turned on the style in this classic. The stunning victory was payback time for the Toon. The Tyneside club should have won the title the previous season. At the turn of the year the Magpies were 12 points ahead of second place United. However, an alarming loss of form saw United pinch the title on the last day of the season.
 
The home side dominated from the off, their pressure was rewarded when David Ginola's left wing corner was prodded in by Darren Peacock. Ginola made it two with a sublime goal. The French winger received the ball on the edge of the visitors' penalty area. Ginola turned Gary Neville and curled a beauty past Peter Schmeichel. Newcastle increased their lead 10 minutes into the second half. Alan Shearer's superb cross picked out Les Ferdinand. Sir Les's powerful header hit the the underside of the bar and into the net.

Shearer made it 4-0 with another close range effort. Schmeichel did superbly to deny Peter Beardsley and Ferdinand, but the Dane couldn't prevent Shearer from rifling home the rebound. 
 
The Magpies crowned a memorable victory with a magnificent fifth goal, Belgian defender Phillipe Albert chipping Schmeichel from 25 yards. The defeat signalled a sticky period for Manchester United. A week later the Old Trafford club lost 6-3 at Southampton. The heavy defeats were a temporary blip, United rediscovered their form and retained the title. It was a different story for Newcastle United. Three months after humbling the Red Devils, Kevin Keegan resigned as Toon boss.

 
 
Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 1
1996 FA Premier League
 
The combined brilliance of Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel broke Geordie hearts. The two United legends stepped up to the plate in this title decider. An exhilarating contest was settled by Cantona's 51st minute goal.

The visitors broke the deadlock with a crisp passing move. Excellent hold up play from Andy Cole set the wheels in motion, Cole held off his marker and laid the ball off to Phil Neville. The full back cut inside and delivered a deep cross. The ball found Cantona unattended at the far post. The Frenchman picked his spot  and volleyed the ball past Pavel Srnicek.

The defeat was tough on Newcastle. Kevin Keegan's men dominated the game and tested Schmeichel on numerous occasions. The great Dane produced a string of fine saves to deny Les Ferdinand, Peter Beardsley and Faustino Asprilla. 

Manchester United's victory knocked the stuffing out of the Tynesiders. The Magpies had seen their lead in the title race whittled away by a resurgent United. Now their closet challengers had stolen three points at St James' Park. The shift in momentum proved decisive, the Red Devils never looked back and went on to clinch yet another championship.

 

We hope this trip down memory lane has whetted your appetite for this afternoon's clash.

What has been your favourite game between Newcastle United and Manchester United? Can the two sides produce a game to rival the above matches this afternoon? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.