Although title talk was a little premature, Newcastle’s Champions League fate is in their own hands heading into the final stretch, thanks largely to Tottenham Hotspur’s abysmal run as well as their upturn in accumulated wealth just before the international break.
The Magpies were not feeling the love during the Valentine’s period, with no wins from five games between February and the beginning of March, but Eddie Howe’s crop picked out a pair of 2-1 victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest to reinvigorate their optimism.
At the City Ground, a delicate Emmanuel Dennis chip was in vain as Alexander Isak’s brace kept Newcastle within striking distance of Tottenham, who are only two points ahead of Howe’s side in fourth place despite having played two more games.
Newcastle have gone from a team that regularly cleaned sheets for fun to one that has conceded in their last eight matches in all competitions. They are no longer the defensive force that they were earlier in the season, and only 2 of their last five Premier League home games have finished in victory.
Only Liverpool have beaten Howe’s men on their own turf this season, and even then, the 10 men of Newcastle gave the Reds a run for their money, so Man United must keep their wits about them against a Magpies side driven by vengeance.
Man United’s top-flight ambitions may have taken a back seat just before the international break, as Erik ten Hag’s team won the Europa League and FA Cup against Real Betis and Fulham, respectively.
After advancing to a continental quarter-final against La Liga relegation candidates Sevilla, the Red Devils won the FA Cup last-eight against Fulham, whose master plan unravelled when Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic were both sent off.
Mitrovic had opened the scoring for the Cottagers before an unforgivable shove on referee Chris Kavanagh – the Serbian had reacted angrily to Willian’s handball and subsequent dismissal – as Bruno Fernandes transformed the resulting penalty before completing his hat-trick after a Marcel Sabitzer strike.
Dreams of a quadruple are surely out of reach for Manchester United, who played just two Premier League games in March – that 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool and a draw at home with Southampton – having left them safely on the final podium spot and one spot ahead of Tottenham, who have played two games more.
Newcastle players and fans cried as Manchester United ended their six-year title drought with a 2-0 win in the EFL Cup final in February. The Magpies are winless in their last six Premier League meetings with their Manchester counterparts, but they came away with a creditable point in a 0 – 0 stalemate back in October.
Team News- Manchester United
In terms of Manchester United, Casemiro will end up serving the second of his four-game domestic ban for his red card against Southampton, while Sabitzer will need a check-up after picking up a knock in Austria, leaving Ten Hag especially light in final third as Donny van de Beek (knee) and Christian Eriksen (ankle) recover from long-term injuries.
Sabitzer is expected to be passed fit after being noticed in first-team training recently, yet nothing can be said for ankle victims. Alejandro.
Finally, the Red Devils are still concerned about the health of 14-goal striker Marcus Rashford (toe), although he’s reportedly winning his fight to be fit and should play on the left flank.
Team News- Newcastle United
Neither Miguel Almiron (thigh) nor Emil Krafth (ACL) will be available for Howe’s clash on Sunday, while Ryan Fraser remains on the sidelines as he trains with the Under-21s, but Joelinton has returned from a two-game suspension for accumulating 10 yellow cards.
As with many Premier League clubs, the Magpies must assess a slew of injury and illness concerns following the international break, with Nick Pope (knee), Sven Botman (fever), Allan Saint-Maximin (thigh), and Anthony Gordon (ankle) all questionable for the visit of Manchester United.
Predictions–
Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester United
