Build Up
Manchester United return to action on Saturday in hope of forgetting the horrendous 6-1 loss to Tottenham the last time United was in action.
Traveling to St James Park to play Newcastle is never an easy task, now consider how much turmoil United are in right now, and it could be a very interesting match.
United have lost two of their three Premier League matches this season and need to put three points on the board this weekend ahead of a tough trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Newcastle is 2-1-1 against Manchester United in their last four league meetings at St. James’ Park. The two sides split the 2019-20 series.
Manchester United Team News
The good news for United is that they are nearly fully fit as a team. Long-term injury absentee Axel Tuanzebe is back in training and should be available for selection.
Bruno Fernandes will reportedly be available despite self-isolation fears after Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive for coronavirus, fuelling suggestions that Fernandes could be forced to self-isolate at home for two weeks despite returning a negative test. Now …. reality….
David De Gea will more than likely get the starting jersey over Dean Henderson. Many feel that if there wasn’t a two-week international break, Henderson would be starting after De Gea gave up six goals last time out.
Most recently De Gea’s latest blunder cost Spain a win in the UEFA Nations Cup on Wednesday, further putting his starting position in doubt if his shaky play continues.
United will start the usual backline even though captain Harry Maguire looks like a deer in headlights and needs a break. He isn’t the same player Untied signed last year. Eric Bailly could possibly get the start if his hamstring is healed from his latest injury scare while on international duty.
Donny Van de Beek is proving he should be starting for United after he scored his first international goal this week. Look for a possible Van de Beek, Fernandes, and Pogba lineup.
The striker situation is interesting. United will be without Anthony Martial who will be serving the first of his three-match suspension after receiving a controversial red card against Tottenham. The one notable absentee for United is deadline day signing Edinson Cavani.
The 33-year-old was signed on a free in the 11th hour, despite being available since June. As he arrives in the UK from a COVID hot spot in France, he must first isolate for two weeks. Naturally, that ends Sunday. Look for Greenwood, Rashford, and Ighalo up front on Saturday.
Opposition Watch
Newcastle star goalkeeper Martin Dubravka suffered an injury setback and won’t return until December, one of 11 injuries for the Magpies.
Several could return at St. James’ Park, as the Magpies wait on Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Jamal Lewis, DeAndre Yedlin, Matty Longstaff, and Saint-Maximin. Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle join Dubravka as certain absences.
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction at Newcastle United
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Van de Beek; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Ighalo
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