Manchester United are on the road next at Newcastle United in the Premier League in their return to action after a horrific coronavirus outbreak.
While the Red Devils are dealing with a slew of COVID-19 cases, Eddie Howe’s hosts are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. Newcastle has conceded 11 goals in their last three defeats, making their survival job that much more difficult.
Last time around, Ruben Dias scored after just five minutes for Manchester City, and the champions would go on to beat the Magpies with goals from Joao Cancelo, Raheem Sterling, and Riyad Mahrez as the Magpies fell short once more.
Newcastle United is still 19th in the rankings ahead of the Boxing Day fixtures, after opening the month with a much-needed win over Burnley. They are level on points with Norwich City, who have played one game more.
As Omicron rages around the country, even 17th-placed Watford – who are three points ahead of the Magpies – has two games in hand, but the appointment of Howe has not exactly resulted in the upturn in fortunes that the new owners would have hoped for.
Newcastle’s 41 goals conceded are the poorest defensive record in the 2021-22 Premier League season, and after being breached 79 times in the calendar year, they may establish a new unwelcome record for most Premier League goals conceded in that time.
On the surface, three defeats in their last eight Premier League games at St James’ Park does not appear to be dreadful, but a rejuvenated Man United side will not be showing any mercy on Monday.
Man United, one of several English clubs whose winter preparations have been interrupted by the rise in coronavirus infections, will play for the first time since December 11 when they travel to Tyneside.
The club’s training center was closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, so matches against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion were postponed, but Ralf Rangnick’s players are back on the practice pitches and eager to continue up to where they left off.
The football hasn’t been spectacular, but two critical 1-0 victories over Crystal Palace and Norwich City have put United in sixth place in the table ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.
Man United has now gone six games without defeat in all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure, and with goals in all of their away league games this season, Newcastle’s weak defense could be in for another difficult ride at home.
The Red Devils have also won their previous four meetings with Newcastle, scoring at least three goals in each, but not keeping a clean sheet against the Magpies since January 2019.
Newcastle United vs Manchester United: Head-to-head
Total games played between the two sides: 171
Newcastle United wins: 43 matches
Manchester United wins: 90 matches
Draws: 38 matches
Last meeting: Ronaldo’s goal-scoring come back to the club was the highlight of our last match against Newcastle. The world-class striker had joined United from Juventus at the end of August and scored twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on September 11.
The other goals were scored by Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard, with Javier Manquillo equalizing for the visitors early in the second half.
That was our fourth consecutive win over Newcastle, with three of them ending in 4-1 scores and the other ending in a 3-1 score. Newcastle, on the other hand, has had a number of memorable home victories recently, winning 1-0 at home in October 2019.
Must Read: Exclusive: The future of ten Manchester United players at Old Trafford
Form Guide:
Newcastle United: L, D, W, L, L, L
Manchester United: W, D, W, W, D, W
Newcastle United vs Manchester United: Team News
With Jonjo Shelvey still a fitness issue, Sean Longstaff might step into the team. Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden picked up his fifth card of the league season in the Man City defeat and will sit this one out.
Due to thigh injuries, Federico Fernandez and Jamal Lewis have been ruled out of the festive season, while Paul Dummett has returned to training but is still a long way off.
Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth’s recovery from non-COVID illnesses could help Howe, but a fully healthy Jacob Murphy could keep his right-back for the match.
Rangnick has intimated that, with the exception of Paul Pogba, Man United will have a fully healthy team to choose from this weekend.
Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Edinson Cavani, and Anthony Martial might all be in contention for the match against Newcastle, as can Victor Lindelof, despite his issues with respiratory troubles.
Varane might return to the starting lineup for Harry Maguire if deemed fit, but Diogo Dalot will not be dropping out for Wan-Bissaka just yet.
Our Prediction:
Newcastle’s thin and easily breachable defence was always going to be vulnerable when facing numerous members of the established Big Six in consecutive game weeks.
Man United fans will be expecting more attacking zeal from their star-studded frontline, and Monday’s match should offer Rangnick the ideal opportunity to oversee a decisive victory with a couple of goals.
Our Score: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester United
