Ruud on the bench again

Ruud van Nistelrooy was dumped to the bench for the third match in succession as Alex Ferguson once again placed his faith in Louis Saha for this afternoon’s tussle with Newcastle.

Van Nistelrooy lost his place for the Carling Cup final a fortnight ago and has failed to win it back, despite instigating a successful Manchester United comeback with his arrival at Wigan last Monday.

While Ferguson continues to insist Saha deserves his place, the longer Van Nistelrooy’s exile continues the more credence is given to suggestions he will leave Old Trafford in the summer.

Van Nistelrooy’s failure to train on Friday due to a minor fitness problem could be the explanation behind his latest omission, with Ferguson sticking with the same starting line-up for the third match running.

Stand-in Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder also named an unchanged side as he looked to extend a run of five wins from six since the departure of Graeme Souness and also record the Magpies first Old Trafford success since 1972.

There was some notable team news from the visitors camp though, with Kieron Dyer on the bench after another recent bout of hamstring trouble.

Man Utd v Newcastle teams

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O’Shea, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Saha.

Subs: Howard, Evra, van Nistelrooy, Vidic, Rossi.

Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott, Babayaro, Solano, Parker, Emre, N’Zogbia, Ameobi, Shearer.

Subs: Harper, Dyer, Bowyer, Luque, Clark.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)