ERIC Djemba-Djemba is poised for his first start for Manchester United alongside his idol Roy Keane in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff at Newcastle.

Nicky Butt is set to be out of action for three weeks with the ankle injury he picked up playing for England on Wednesday night, and the Cameroon international is the natural choice to step into the breach.

And he can't wait to play with the man he holds in the highest esteem.

"He is a role model for me along with Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira," said Djemba-Djemba.

"He's a strong character and it would really make me happy to play alongside him.''

Fitted in

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has no qualms about throwing his £3.5m summer signing into the fray.

"The lad has done really well," Fergie said.

"And he has fitted in to our team so easily, as if he has been here a couple of years.

"He has the advantage that his English is not too bad - he has been going to lessons every day since he arrived here, so he is improving all the time.''

Kleberson will also join the squad for the first time after making his debut for the reserves in Wednesday night's defeat by Blackburn, and Gary Neville is back in the reckoning after coming through an hour unscathed in the same match.

"Kleberson did the straightforward things really well the other night," said Fergie.

"One drawback is that he doesn't speak the language at the moment, so he is playing by instinct.

"Blackburn were a lot stronger than our lads, with a lot more experience, so it was a difficult game to step into - but he did fine.

"I was happy with the way he performed - it was his first game for six weeks, so it was nice to get that behind him."

Ferguson, though, is unlikely to make many changes to a side that kicked off the season with a 4-0 win over Bolton. John O'Shea scored his first international goal in midweek, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher also impressed on their international bows, but all three are set for a watching brief, though Ronaldo is almost certain to play some part after his stunning cameo against the Trotters.

Paul Scholes' ongoing drought for England was mulled over in the national press, but for United he looks like continuing his fine form of last season and will play as a link between midfield and attack.

And with Ryan Giggs also starting the season on fire, the Reds will be hoping that they can give Sir Bobby Robson's team a re-run of last season's 6-2 thrashing.

Newcastle started the season by drawing at Leeds, with Alan Shearer signalling his intent with a brace. Robson faces a slection dilemma in midfield, with Nol Solano and Lee Bowyer battling for a place in midfield and Jermaine Jenas pushing for a starting berth in the centre, but the manager's main worries are in defence.

With the exception of Jonathan Woodgate, their backline looked ponderous against Leeds and a similarly lackluster performance against United would be unlikely to go unpunished.

Key Battle: Paul Scholes v Kieron Dyer.

The two England international provide the main attacking thrust for their teams, only in very different ways. Dyer is all pace and energy, while Scholes is a more refined, manipulator of a football. Last season, the day belonged to Scholes as he fired home a superb hat-trick, but Dyer showed glimpses of his best for England in midweek and will see this as a chance to push for more regular international inclusion.

Last season:

Newcastle 2 Manchester United 6

Prediction:

Newcastle 1 Manchester United 3

BETFRED:

Match result: Newcastle 7/4; Draw 9/4; United 5/4

Correct score (Manchester United)

1-0 11/2
2-0 11/1
2-1 17/2
3-0 22/1
3-1 18/1
3-2 25/1

First/last scorer

Van Nistelrooy 4/1
Ronaldo 13/2
Solskjaer 7/1
Forlan 15/2
Bellion 9/1
Scholes 9/1
Giggs 9/1
Kleberson 22/1
Keane 25/1
Djemba Djemba 28/1

Scorecast

Van Nistelrooy & Utd 2-0 50/1
Solskjaer & Utd 3-1 85/1
Scholes & Utd 3-1 130/1

Others odds available on request. Prices subject to fluctuation. Ring BETFRED on 0800 73 11 210

Will United thrash Newcastle again? Have your say.

Tweet