Man Utd vs Newcastle Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Newcastle United have an excellent chance to get another big game and morale boosting victory as they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Universo
Man Utd preview: Improved but frustrated
Throughout this campaign, in what is Ruben Amorim’s first full season in charge of Manchester United, the Red Devils have been much-improved but their form has remained inconsistent and frustrating as they now head into this on the back of a loss.
Away at title challenging Aston Villa, United went down by two goals to one due to a brace scored by Morgan Rogers. That followed a 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth and means they have now won just one of their last four matches in the Premier League.
Newcastle preview: Inconsistent Magpies
Newcastle United have been inconsistent this season, as shown by the fact that they remain in the bottom-half of the table on Boxing Day. Their best remains very good but performances where they are at their best have become too few.
The Magpies come into this one on the back of moving into the semi-finals of the EFL Cup before a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at St James’ Park last week in a game in which they had been 2-0 up and dominant at half-time.
Man Utd team news: No Fernandes
In his pre-match press conference, Ruben Amorim has confirmed that captain Bruno Fernandes will miss this weekend due to injury, albeit Casemiro has returned from suspension for this one.
The hosts have a few other confirmed injury absentees, such as defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with Bryan Mbeumo headlining their CAF Africa Cup of Nations contingent.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Diallo, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dalot; Zirkzee, Cunha; Mount
Unavailable: Maguire (Injured), De Ligt (Injured), Mazraoui (International duty), Mainoo (Injured), Fernandes (Injured), Diallo (International duty), Mbeumo (International duty)
Questionable:
Newcastle team news: Pope still a doubt
Nick Pope has been out for a while and he remains a doubt with former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale having started the last month or so, and doing reasonably well in that position.
They have a few other confirmed injury absentees, especially in defence, such as Sven Botman, Dan Burn and full-backs Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; J. Murphy, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Miley; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon
Unavailable: Botman (Injured), Lascelles (Injured), Burn (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Trippier (Injured), Livramento (Injured), Ashby (Injured), Osula (Injured)
Questionable: Pope (Injured)
Man Utd vs Newcastle prediction
Boxing Day is a bit different this time with just one Premier League game happening, but it is a bit of a thriller and one that could be a very good watch for the neutral. United’s 17 matches in the league have consisted of 59 goals. The inability to be controlled in transition has hurt them and Newcastle will fancy themselves to punish United on the counter-attack with a high-scoring encounter to be expected for this one in Salford.
Man Utd vs Newcastle tip: Over 2.5 goals
