Ronaldo on bench for Man Utd

Teenage midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo had to again make do with a seat on the bench as Manchester United went into battle at Newcastle.

The Portuguese youngster, who made such an impact in his Premiership debut as a substitute at Bolton last weekend, was kept in reserve as Eric Djemba-Djemba replaced the injured Nicky Butt and Ireland's John O’Shea came in for Quinton Fortune.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson was forced into changes as key men Craig Bellamy and Jonathan Woodgate were sidelined by injury.

Shola Ameobi was asked to partner Alan Shearer in attack with Titus Bramble lining up in central defence, while Andy Griffin was recalled as Olivier Bernard paid for his error at Leeds last Sunday.

Newcastle: Given, Griffin, O’Brien, Bramble, Hughes, Robert, Dyer, Speed, Bowyer, Shearer, Ameobi.

Subs: Harper, Jenas, Chopra, Bernard, Viana.

Man Utd: Howard, Phil Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O’Shea, Keane, Djemba-Djemba, Solskjaer, Scholes, van Nistelrooy, Giggs.

Subs: Ronaldo, Carroll, Kleberson, Forlan, Fletcher.

Referee: U Rennie.