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This is an archive article published on April 12, 2003

Task cut out for Man United

After being outclassed by the best team in Europe, Manchester United will try to be the best side in England on Saturday when they contest t...

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After being outclassed by the best team in Europe, Manchester United will try to be the best side in England on Saturday when they contest the first of two daunting matches over five potentially decisive days.

United will hope to put Tuesday8217;s 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Real Madrid behind them when they visit Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Currently level on 67 points with Arsenal, who lead on goal difference, a win would leave Alex Ferguson8217;s side three points clear at the top as the champions do not play in the league this weekend, due to their FA Cup semi-final clash against Sheffield United on Sunday.

Victory for United will be no easy task, however, as Newcastle8217;s home record this season has been outstanding with Bobby Robson8217;s side dropping just five out of a possible 48 points in the league.

It is a record matched only by Arsenal, whose Highbury ground will be the scene of United8217;s other mouth-watering league clash on Wednesday.

But Real8217;s Zinedine Zidane-inspired defeat of United raised doubts over captain Roy Keane8217;s ability to compete at the highest level with a series of injuries now appearing to take their toll on the 31-year-old.

The Irishman will be doubly determined to silence his critics on his return to domestic duty when his battle for midfield supremacy will be contested by Newcastle8217;s Jermaine Jenas and Kieron Dyer and arch-rival Patrick Vieira, captain of Arsenal.

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England captain David Beckham also has a point to prove after a barren night in Madrid an Newcastle left-back Olivier Bernard and his Arsenal counterpart Ashley Cole are unlikely to be too concerned as they prepare to face one of the most famous players in the world. Reuters

 

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