Newcastle United will aim to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League on Monday evening when they host Manchester United at St James’ Park.
The Magpies have lost their last three Premier League games, conceding 11 goals in the process. They are 19th in the table and remain desperate for points in this busy run of fixtures.
Meanwhile, Manchester United travel to Newcastle looking for a third straight league victory under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
The Reds beat relegation-threatened Norwich City 1-0 in their most recent league fixture, courtesy of a second-half penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Newcastle United vs Manchester United – Team News
Newcastle United
Newcastle United will be without Federico Fernandez (thigh), Jamal Lewis (thigh) and Paul Dummett (calf), through injury against Manchester United. Jonjo Shelvey remains doubtful due to a knock, but there are chances of Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo recovering from illness in time to be a part of the squad on Monday.
⚫️ 𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗦! ⚪️#NEWMUN pic.twitter.com/PJ4DaDaR6u
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 27, 2021
Meanwhile, Isaac Hayden will serve a one-game suspension having picked up five yellow cards. Martin Dubravka has regained his spot in goal since Eddie Howe’s arrival and is expected to start on Monday.
Having conceded a staggering 41 goals so far, including 11 in the last three games, Newcastle must tighten up their backline and skipper Jamaal Lascelles will need to start putting in consistent displays starting from the Man United game. Lascelles will partner Fabian Schar at centre-back, with Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie likely to operate as makeshift full-backs.
Jonjo Shelvey faces a late fitness test but considering the position Newcastle are in at the moment, Eddie Howe could throw the experienced midfielder into the starting XI. Sean Longstaff should replace the suspended Hayden in the centre of the park.
Allan Saint-Maximin is Newcastle’s best player, capable of turning games upside down in a blink of an eye. Howe will hope for a big performance from the enigmatic Frenchman against a strong Manchester United side. Joelinton and Miguel Almiron may start on either side of centre-forward Callum Wilson, who will fancy his chances against Rangnick’s Reds.
Manchester United
Manchester United have a clean bill of health barring Paul Pogba, who is still recovering from an injury picked up while on international duty with France in November, as confirmed by Ralf Rangnick.
That could mean Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani are once again ready to feature, while Victor Lindelof has recovered well after experiencing breathing difficulties against Norwich City. Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are set to be part of the travelling squad as well.
🔜 Our final away game of 2021… #MUFC | #NEWMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 27, 2021
David de Gea has been back to his best so far this season and deserves to keep his place in goal. Raphael Varane could be thrown straight into the starting XI to partner skipper Harry Maguire at centre-back, meaning Victor Lindelof will have to settle for a spot on the bench. Diogo Dalot has usurped Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back under Rangnick, with Alex Telles set to continue at left-back ahead of Luke Shaw.
In midfield, Fred and Scott McTominay are certain starters. The duo’s energy, intensity and tenacity will be required to combat a Newcastle side that is expected to come out flying at Manchester United from minute one. Ahead of Fred and McTominay, as the two creative No.8s, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho are set to be retained in the starting XI by Rangnick, even though they have struggled to adjust to their new roles.
It is hard to see Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, especially after bagging 13 goals across all competitions this season. The Portuguese superstar is a guaranteed starter against Newcastle. Partnering him up top could once again be Marcus Rashford, with the likes of Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial settling for bench roles.
Newcastle United vs Manchester United – Predicted Lineups
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martin Dubravka; Jacob Murphy, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Matt Ritchie; Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey; Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, Joelinton; Callum Wilson
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-2-2): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles; Fred, Scott McTominay; Jadon Sancho; Bruno Fernandes; Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford
Newcastle United vs Manchester United – Key Players
Newcastle United—Allan Saint-Maximin
On his day, Allan Saint-Maximin can literally be unplayable. The flashy French winger possesses the ability to create things out of nothing and hurt the opposition from nowhere. He will pose the biggest threat to Newcastle on Monday.
Manchester United—Cristiano Ronaldo
Arguably the greatest player on the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to Manchester United with a brace in a 4-1 victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford in September. The Portuguese will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a leaky Magpies backline on Monday.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-3 Manchester United
