Manchester United will look to bounce back after the disappointment of Wednesday night as they head to St. James Park to take on Newcastle United. The Reds let slip a 3-1 lead against Galatasaray in the Champions League to only draw whilst our opponents were cruelly denied a huge win over PSG in their 1-1 draw.
After such a spectacular goal against Everton in the Premier League, Alejandro Garnacho was again on the scoresheet with his near-post finish to give us the early lead against Galatasaray with Bruno Fernandes’s superb strike putting us in great command of the game. As we look set to take second spot in Group A, United’s ability to concede goals reared its ugly head again in the Champions League.
Hakim Ziyech had pulled one back for the Turkish side before Scott McTominay restored our two-goal lead in the second half. However, Andre Onana allowed a free kick from Ziyech to go into the back of the net before Kerem Akturkoglu’s excellent strike levelled the tie. It was another collapse from the Reds in Europe that left us bottom of the group with Bayern Munich to come in the final fixture at Old Trafford.
A familiar sense of doom is hanging over the club despite the recent good form of United having beaten Everton 3-0 to make three wins in a row in the Premier League and are unbeaten in the last four away games in the top flight. Since losing the League Cup fixture to Newcastle, the Reds have not won their two fixtures against the Magpies – a 2-0 defeat at St. James Park last season before losing 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United Team News
The medical team at United is working overtime trying to get several players back to fitness as Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), Mason Mount (calf), Jonny Evans (thigh), Christian Eriksen (knee), Amad Diallo (knee) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) are out of contention for the time being.
Jadon Sancho remains in exile from the first team but Ten Hag can call upon Marcus Rashford after serving his Champions League suspension midweek. Antony who returned to the squad after a knock may drop back down to the bench.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw;
McTominay, Mainoo; Fernandes;
Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho
Opposition Preview
The Magpies were on the end of a highly contentious VAR decision at the Parc Des Princes midweek in the Champions League. Alexander Isak had given Newcastle the lead in the first half against PSG and looked set to come away with a famous victory. Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot in the 98th minute after Tino Livramento’s handball.
Fans and pundits could not believe the decision against Livramento as the ball deflected off his thigh onto his elbow. They had been camped in their own half for much of the second half as they tried to stave off the PSG attack. In their previous Premier League encounter, Newcastle cruised past Chelsea with a 4-1 victory and currently one point behind Man United in seventh place. The last five league home games have all ended in wins.
Newcastle United Team News
The Magpies are having to contend with several injuries as Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Joe Willock (Achilles), Matt Targett (thigh), Javier Manquillo (groin), Sven Botman (knee), Harvey Barnes (foot), Elliot Anderson (back), Callum Wilson (thigh) and Dan Burn (back) out of the Saturday’s night game.
Sean Longstaff has a slight chance of returning from his ankle issue but will be assessed beforehand. Sandro Tonali remains out as he currently serves his 10-month suspension. With not many options at his disposal, manager Eddie Howe is likely to stick with the same starting eleven that played against PSG midweek.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: WWLWWW
Manchester United (all competitions): LWLWWD
Newcastle United Premier League form: DWDWLW
Newcastle United form (all competitions): WWLLWD
Prediction
Whilst both teams are nursing several injuries, the Reds will want bounce back from the disappointment of the Champions League in midweek. Having already lost to Newcastle once this season, United will be intent on not making that a second time. Whilst we have increased our attacking output in recent games, our defensive frailties have caught us out as the Magpies will try and exploit this.
Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester United
