Man Utd v Newcastle: Two Changes

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At Old Trafford

Alan Pardew has made two changes to his Newcastle United starting line-up for Boxing Day's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United.

Vurnon Anita makes his first start in exactly two months, while 17-year-old forward Adam Armstrong is handed his full league debut for the Magpies.

The duo replace Cheick Tiote, who is suspended, and wide man Sammy Ameobi.

United are expected to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with goalkeeper Jak Alnwick behind a back four of Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, captain Fabricio Coloccini and Paul Dummett.

Anita and Jack Colback will anchor the visitors' midfield at Old Trafford, with Ayoze Perez, Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran ahead of them.

And after a handful of eye-catching cameos from the bench, England Under-18 international Armstrong will lead Newcastle's attack, hoping to net his first senior goal for the Club.

Pardew has plenty of attacking options among his replacements, with seven-goal leading scorer Papiss Cisse, Emmanuel Riviere, Haris Vuckic and Remy Cabella all named as substitutes.

And they are joined by defenders Mike Williamson and Lubomir Satka, and teenage goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Manchester United (3-5-2): David de Gea; Phil Jones, Paddy McNair, Jonny Evans; Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney (c), Juan Mata, Ashley Young; Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao

Substitutes: Anders Lindegaard, Rafael, Chris Smalling, Tyler Blackett, Darren Fletcher, Andreas Pereira, James Wilson

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Jak Alnwick; Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett; Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback; Ayoze Perez, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran; Adam Armstrong

Substitutes: Freddie Woodman, Lubomir Satka, Mike Williamson, Remy Cabella, Haris Vuckic, Emmanuel Riviere, Papiss Cisse

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)