Aiming to immediately bounce back from a frustrating Champions League evening, Newcastle United entertain Manchester United at St James’ Park in a mouthwatering Premier League clash on Saturday evening.
The Magpies were cruelly denied a memorable win over Paris Saint-Germain in a 1-1 draw in the Champions League, with a controversial penalty awarded to the hosts in stoppage time, which Kylian Mbappe scored. However, a return to home comforts is exactly what the doctor ordered for Eddie Howe’s disappointed boys, who smashed 10-man Chelsea 4-1 in their most recent Premier League encounter.
The Toon Army are seventh in the Premier League table and only a point behind Man United, who head into this fixture off the back of an epic 3-3 Champions League draw with Galatasaray in Turkey.
Newcastle United Team News
Newcastle United were without 14 senior players for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain. 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) are all ruled out, while Sandro Tonali continues to serve his 10-month betting ban.
Sean Longstaff, who missed the Chelsea and PSG games with an ankle problem, has a slim chance of returning against Man United. Meanwhile, Matt Ritchie, Mark Gillespie and Emil Krafth are set to return to the matchday squad on Saturday after being ineligible in the Champions League.
Predicted Newcastle United lineup vs Man United (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope had a solid outing against PSG in midweek. He is certain to continue in goal for Newcastle.
Defence
Eddie Howe is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 shape, with Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento forming the backline for the hosts. Lascelles will continue partnering Schar in central defence, with Trippier and Livramento operating from the full-back positions.
The Newcastle backline must stay compact and disciplined, allowing no space for the Man United attackers to exploit.
Midfield
As for the midfield unit, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley should form the dynamic trifecta in the centre of the pitch. Teenage prodigy Miley should be rewarded with another start after his mature display against PSG, meaning Sean Longstaff must hold a place on the bench even if he recovers from an ankle problem in time.
The trio of Bruno, Joelinton and Miley must look to take control of the game as quickly as possible and create chances in the final third for the forwards.
Attack
Since returning from injury, Alexander Isak has scored back-to-back goals against Chelsea and PSG. The Swede’s confidence is high at the moment, and he will look to cause problems for the Man United defence with his speed and movement. He will lead the Newcastle attack, flanked by Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon.
Almiron and Gordon will look to exploit spaces behind the Man United full-backs and provide service for Isak in the box.
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