Rooney banned for Newcastle clash

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney for tomorrow’s visit of Newcastle United after receiving his fifth booking of the season in Wednesday evening’s defeat to Everton.

Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa are both doubtful through injury and illness respectively, though Phil Jones could return after serving his ban.

Victory for United will see them close the gap on them and Arsenal to nine points with the league leaders not hosting Everton until Sunday afternoon.

United edged past Alan Pardew’s men in a seven goal thriller in last season’s corresponding fixture; their third in succession against the Magpies.

Meanwhile, the club are set to battle Arsenal for the services of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, according to TalkSport.

Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the Germany international, has made just one appearance for last season’s Bundesliga and Champions League runners up this campaign.

Elsewhere, United centre back Rio Ferdinand has joined the BBC’s punditry team for next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

The 35 year old former England captain, who was selected in four World Cup squads, called time on his international career earlier this year after winning eighty-one caps for his country.