Manchester United travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday evening, hoping to put behind a painful evening in the Champions League.
The Red Devils surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Galatasaray at Rams Park in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving Erik ten Hag and co. on the cusp of elimination from Group A. While they have struggled for results in Europe, Ten Hag’s side have picked up form in the Premier League of late and the 3-0 beating of Everton last weekend marked their third consecutive league win.
They are sixth in the table and only a point above Newcastle, who unkindly had to share the spoils with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League after stoppage-time penalty drama.
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United have Marcus Rashford available for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle after missing the dramatic draw away at Galatasaray in the Champions League through suspension.
Mason Mount (calf), Jonny Evans (thigh), Christian Eriksen (knee), Amad Diallo (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (hamstring) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) are all out of contention, while Jadon Sancho is exiled from the first team.
Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana was thought to be picking up form of late, only for his two glaring mistakes against Galatasaray to take him back to square one. Despite the Cameroonian’s struggles, it would be a major surprise to see him dropped in favour of back-up Altay Bayindir.
Defence
Man United are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation again, with a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw starting in front of Onana. Maguire and Lindelof will likely continue in central defence, with Raphael Varane having not had much of a look-in of late.
Wan-Bissaka and Shaw put in impressive displays against Galatasaray in Turkey and deserve to keep their places at right-back and left-back, respectively. The duo will need to be defensively diligent to keep Newcastle wingers Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron quiet on Saturday.
Midfield
Erik ten Hag could turn back to young Kobbie Mainoo. Praised for his performance against Everton at Goodison Park, Mainoo started on the bench for the draw in the Champions League in Turkey. However, the teenager could find himself in a deeper midfield role alongside Scott McTominay, who scored in the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in midweek.
Bruno Fernandes, who scored a belter against the Turkish giants, is among the first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet. The Portuguese’s creativity and vision will be key in unlocking the rigid Newcastle defence. Meanwhile, Sofyan Amrabat should drop to the bench after starting the Champions League game on Wednesday.
Attack
Marcus Rashford could be preferred on the right over Antony, despite the Brazilian putting in a fine performance against the Turkish side in midweek. Alejandro Garnacho has scored in back-to-back games and deserves to keep his place on the left, with Rasmus Hojlund spearheading the Man United attack.
Anthony Martial, Antony and Facundo Pellistri could be involved at some point in the game.