Manchester United to do the double over woeful Newcastle?

Manchester United are back after a lengthy COVID break and face a trip to Newcastle on Monday night. With 15 days since their last fixture, United have a chance to push for top four and narrow the gap to the title contenders. Albeit with their games in hand, they won’t be able to return to the top four this matchday but will keep momentum while awaiting the rescheduling of their postponed matches against Brighton and Brentford.

Newcastle are in awful form; winless in three, conceded 11 in those games and scored just one. They are level on points with Norwich at the bottom and have conceded the most goals in the league this season. It paints a dismal picture and one the new owners will not be impressed with.

United may be refreshed and ready to shine but Newcastle know they have to start getting points. This could pose an interesting matchup during the festive period. Here’s all you need to know:

Match Information:

Teams: Newcastle United and Manchester United
Date: Monday 27th December 2021
KO Time: 20:00 GMT
Stadium: St James’ Park
Managers: Eddie Howe and Ralf Rangnick
Referee: Craig Pawson

Newcastle United vs Manchester United Team News

Newcastle United

The Magpies will miss Isaac Hayden who has picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign, leaving Sean Longstaff to come in alongside Jonjo Shelvey. Both Jamal Lewis and Federico Fernandez will miss out due to COVID-19 but Paul Dummett returned to training with Javi Manquillo and Emil Krafth, giving Eddie Howe more defensive cover. All three may not be risked however.

Manchester United

Manchester United are now fully fit bar Paul Pogba. Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Martial and Cavani are all available to feature for United but the latter two have been linked with moves away. Fernandes, Fred, McTominay and Shaw are all on four yellow cards and could be suspended for one game should they be booked against Newcastle.

Interesting Facts:

• Manchester United have not lost to Newcastle since a defeat in 2019 courtesy of a Matty Longstaff strike at St James Park. United have won five of their last six games against the Magpies.
• Manchester United have played Newcastle in the Boxing Day fixtures two years ago. United went a goal down but a Martial brace and goals from Rashford and Greenwood sealed the win.
• The Red Devils have not kept a clean sheet against Newcastle since January 2019 in a 0-2 win. However, they have not conceded more than one goal against Newcastle since a 3-2 win in 2018.
• Since earning a brace of assists against Newcastle in September, Paul Pogba has not assisted since that game. However, he has the third most assists in the Premier League behind Salah (9) and Alexander-Arnold (8).

Predicted XI:

United could keep the same team that faced Norwich but with Varane’s return, I doubt it. I think Maguire and Varane start this match with the pace Newcastle have upfront and with the potential threat of Joelinton too. Shaw could come in for Telles and Wan-Bissaka for Dalot. Especially with a more attack-minded lineup needed on Thursday against Burnley. McFred will likely start with the same attacking setup bar one change. I think Greenwood may come in for Rashford as the last two performances from our number 10 haven’t been too good and Greenwood would flourish more in the centre-forward role along with Ronaldo.

Predicted XI (4-2-2-2): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Fernandes, Sancho; Greenwood, Ronaldo

Predicted Score:

United will start strong and fast. Aiming to punish Newcastle early and cause mayhem with their high intensity pressing. We failed to see that against Norwich but with 15 days off and a return to Carrington earlier this week, they should have had a lot of time to work on it and apply it for Monday’s match. Newcastle have quality but if United are composed and switched on, they should pose little to no threat to United’s backline.

Predicted Score: United to win 0-3

Merry Christmas everyone!