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It will be a spectacle when Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford in the Premier League. It is a clash between two teams who have won the league title in its current format. While the Red Devils have blown hot and cold this season, the Magpies have not particularly been great all through too.
It has been a mixed season for the Red Devils under the guidance of Erik Ten Hag this term. Several players have been misfiring to a large extent, and at some point, it has been comical. Harry Maguire, who was one of the worst players at the club last season has become one of the best players. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has struggled to make a huge difference in games this campaign, while Alejandro Garnacho offered some flashes at some point. Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a revelation in midfield, while summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is already getting among the goals and could make a significant impact in games before the season is concluded.
Manchester United’s disappointing campaign started with their transfer decisions. Following the departures of Anthony Elanga, Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, and Mason Greenwood, Manchester United made strategic additions to their squad, welcoming Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, Johnny Evans, and Sergio Reguillon.
Following their below-par performance in the transfer market, they have lost embarrassingly to teams like Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Brighton. The smaller teams have also had their bite of the cherry, with Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth. On the flip side, a couple of positives for the Red Devils include beating Chelsea 2-1 and thrashing Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park before a goalless draw at Anfield with Liverpool. Apart from that, they got knocked out of Europe completely before losing to Forest and West Ham on the road. United sit just outside the top 5 and a run of fine results could propel them to greater heights before the season comes to an end.
Meanwhile, Newcastle did great things in the Premier League last season and got themselves a place in the UEFA Champions League, but that was short-lived as they got bundled out in the group stages despite a strong start. Back in the league, it was quite difficult as the results were not forthcoming. Overall, the Magpies have been largely inconsistent and that affected them on the log and they are just hovering around mid-table with few weeks until the end of the season. In order to back last season’s fantastic performance, Newcastle went into the market and got a couple of decent signings like Harvey Barnes from Leicester City, Sandro Tonali, who would later be banned for betting, arrived from Milan while Lewis Hall came in from Chelsea. Defender Tino Livramento also joined the side from Southampton.
On the pitch, Eddie Howe’s side got things underway in convincing fashion as they dismantled Aston Villa 5-1 before losing narrowly to defending champions Man City at the Etihad and that result was followed by another 3-1 defeat to Brighton at the AMEX. The Magpies soon returned to winning ways against Brentford and that win was backed up by another win over Burnley and Crystal Palace on either side of a stalemate with West Ham.
At home, the Magpies continued to rack up wins as they defeated Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United but they kept losing on the road to the likes of Everton, Spurs, Luton Town, and Liverpool. To end 2023, they lost at home to Nottingham Forest before defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City followed. However, they also failed to beat Luton Town and Bournemouth at home in February. It has been a season of mixed results and they need some kind of strong performance to finish well.
Match tickets
The epic match at Old Trafford in Manchester kicks off on Saturday 20th April 2024, at 3 PM UK time.
United’s 74,031-capacity stadium will be playing host to this fixture between two foremost Premier League teams.
Getting tickets for the Manchester United v Newcastle United tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United began 2024 in a much better state. Prior to the January window, the issues surrounding England forward Jadon Sancho were resolved and the player made his return to Borussia Dortmund. Goalkeeper Andre Onana returned from AFCON duties with Cameroon a better man and has been doing great with United. Generally, injuries have not been fair to Manchester United this season. Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Victor Lindelof – who have all spent significant time in the physio’s room – could make their return before this game. Meanwhile, Anthony Martial, who just underwent surgery, could be available for this fixture.
Manchester United XI: Andre Onana; Harry Maguire, Johnny Evans, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen; Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Rashford.
Like United, Newcastle have been struck by injury to a great extent this season. Hardworking midfielder Joelinton is not expected back until May, Pope is scheduled to return in April so this game might come too soon for him, while Joe Willock could make a return before this game. Other players like Harvey Barnes, Elliot Andersen, Matt Targett, and Jacob Murphy who have been out with minor injuries could make their return in this game. Meanwhile, midfielder Sandro Tonali remains unavailable.
Newcastle: Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.
Prediction
Manchester United recently embarked on a mini-winning streak in the Premier League to improve their point tally on the log. They have done better since early February and will need a result against one of the sides that beat them at Old Trafford earlier in the Carabao Cup to prove a point.
However, Newcastle have just been hovering around mid-table for most parts of the season and European football might not return to St. James’ Park but they will be keen to make a statement here. .
Manchester United 2-1 Newcastle United
