Predicted Manchester United Line-up To Face Newcastle United In The Premier League
Premier League action returns on Saturday as Manchester United host Newcastle United in gameweek 12 of the English Premier League at Old Trafford. United are currently level on points with Tottenham Hotspur but are placed 2nd due to a superior goal difference.
The Red Devils have been struggling of late with only three wins in their last six matches. Jose Mourinho is coming off a sorry 0-1 loss against his former employers, Chelsea, as his team succumbed to their second defeat of the season.
The disappointing defeat has left them 8 points behind current league-leaders Manchester City and they cannot afford to lose more ground on their noisy neighbours.
Buoyant Newcastle are sure to provide a stiff challenge and United need to be at their best to take all three points from the game.
Team News
United still have several key players currently sidelined, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rojo and Michael Carrick. But they are all expected to return before the hectic Christmas schedule.
Midfielder Paul Pogba has not played since the second full week of September due to a hamstring injury but has resumed training with the senior team during the international break. However, he remains doubtful for the game against Newcastle as the club is not ready to take “unnecessary risks” with the French international’s fitness.
Meanwhile, defender Phil Jones, who withdrew from the England squad due to a thigh injury sustained in the friendly against Germany at Wembley, is in contention to face the Magpies.
Probable Manchester United Line-up
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Jose Mourinho
David de Gea (GK)
De Gea has been in remarkable form so far this season, having kept 8 clean sheets in the 11 league games he has played so far. The high-flying Spaniard has been instrumental in almost all of United’s success in the recent past, and he should start on Saturday.
Antonio Valencia (RB)
Valencia has been solid in his position since the onset of the season and will be eager to continue his good run of form against a tricky Newcastle side.
Eric Bailly (CB)
Eric Bailly produced a commanding display at the back during United’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian, who spent the majority of October on the sidelines, is a sure shot starter on Saturday.
Phil Jones (CB)
Another tower of strength, Phil Jones has been a rock at the back for United amidst injury problems. He got injured in the friendly against Germany and returned to Old Trafford for further treatment. Subsequent scans have however proven positive and the 25-year-old should be ready to start.
Ashley Young (LB)
Ashley Young made a substitute appearance against Brazil on Tuesday for his first national cap in more than four years. He has shown his experience by performing decently in a make-shift left-back role and must start against Newcastle.
Nemanja Matic (DM)
As influential as ever, Matic has been a pillar in United’s midfield. The Serb will need to put in another imposing performance against the Magpies for his side to register a much-needed victory.
Ander Herrera (CM)
Herrera has been a bit of a hit and a miss this season. The Spaniard has got plenty of chances in the absence of injured Pogba but has failed to take it with both the hands. However, he remains a reliable player for Mourinho and would hope that he delivers in this crucial game.
Marouane Fellaini (CM)
Fellaini had not featured for the Reds after the victory over Crystal Palace at the end of September, after picking up an injury while on international duty for Belgium. Despite being half-fit, he made an impactful substitute appearance in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea on November 5.
Mourinho made a point of praising the Belgian after the Chelsea game. Now, Fellaini has attained full fitness and is raring to go.
Juan Mata (RW)
Mata was not even named in the 18-man squad to face Chelsea despite him travelling with the team to London. He was seen cutting a sorry figure from the stands as his former club prevailed at Stamford Bridge.
However, the Spaniard is certain to be back in the mix against the Toons. With Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of sorts, Mata should be recalled into the team to inject creativity and guile.
Anthony Martial (LW)
Martial has been sensational on the wings and was rightly recalled to the France squad for the friendlies. The nippy winger provided an assist and remained a constant threat throughout the game last night against Germany.
For all his composure and quality, he should take the place of Marcus Rashford on the left against Benitez’s Newcastle.
Romelu Lukaku (ST)
Romelu Lukaku became Belgium’s all-time leading scorer on Tuesday when he headed home in a 1-0 win against Japan in a friendly.
After scoring 11 goals in his first 10 games for United, Lukaku has since gone seven without a goal. He will be eager to get back to scoring ways on Saturday.