Carlos Queiroz has warned a capacity Old Trafford crowd to prepare for showtime on Sunday.

Manchester United's meetings with Newcastle have traditionally been among the more eye-catching in the Premiership calendar.

Although it is an incredible 36 years since the Magpies last swooped to success at Old Trafford, they have tended to play a full part in some epic encounters.

The last 10 Premiership clashes between the pair have produced a mammoth 41 goals, with another five for good measure in a 1995 FA Cup semi-final.

And though injury will keep the likes of Ryan Giggs and Kieron Dyer out of tomorrow's confrontation, United assistant boss Queiroz sees no reason why the entertainment value should not be maintained.

"Matches between Newcastle and Manchester United are always great, spectacular games that produce lots of goals," he said.

"It will be difficult for us because Newcastle are a good team with a lot of good players. They have a few injuries, but so do we.

"In any case, I don't think it matters who plays; it will be showtime at Old Trafford on Sunday."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to stick with the side that defeated Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday, although out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney is set to be handed a more orthodox attacking role.

With five goals for United in his five matches against Newcastle, Rooney could not have picked any better opponent to help him return to top form.

Despite criticism of the 21-year-old's form, the Old Trafford camp remain squarely behind the £27million former Everton star, with assistant manager Carlos Queiroz restating the unanimous verdict Rooney will soon be back to his best.

However, Queiroz also revealed the England forward has been doing additional work at United's Carrington training complex in the hope of aiding his progress.

"Wayne finished training, then stayed a while working alone because he knows he needs to do something," Queiroz said.

"It is good he is conscious of making mistakes. It just means he comes in every day with a bigger and better desire to work more and more.

"Wayne has reached such a level in the past and the demands he puts on himself are so big, he does not have the right to be young when he performs.

"But, game by game, it will start to come right. The motivation and confidence will build up and I am sure he will be better against Newcastle."