Shock NUFC team news leaked – Is this the side that’s set to start vs Man Utd today?

Steve Bruce must be very tempted to make several changes given how awful we were in that 5-0 mauling at Leicester last weekend – and it sounds like he’s going to.

There’ll be at least one enforced change, with Hayden starting his three-game ban, however the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope leaked some early team news last night, claiming Matty Longstaff look set for a surprise start, with Ciaran Clark also expected to replace Paul Dummett in defence.

With suspensions, form, injuries and this early team news in mind, here’s the side that could be set to start against Man Utd today:

(3-4-2-1): Dubravka – Schar, Lascelles, Clark – Yedlin, M.Longstaff, S.Longstaff, Willems – Almiron, Saint-Maximin – Joelinton:

Dummett was poor against Leicester (who wasn’t?!), but this move to bring in Clark for one of our most dependable defenders doesn’t make a great deal of sense.

As for Matty Longstaff, it’s Craig Hope’s understanding that the 19-year-old will make his first Premier League start alongside his brother Sean in midfield, suggesting Ki is not in favour and Shelvey isn’t fit enough to start.

At wing-back, I don’t think Krafth will keep his place, meaning it’ll be between Manquillo and Yedlin. I’d prefer to see the latter, but is he fit enough to start after only recently returning to training? Bruce seemed to think so in his press conference..

Out wide, I can see Saint-Maximin starting. It would be a risk, but Bruce said he was fit to start on Friday, saying ‘he’ll play’ when telling the press he’d trained all week. We need an injection of life in attacking areas and he could give us exactly that – not to mention that fact this Man Utd side is there to be got at. The question is, does he replace Atsu or Almiron? The Ghanaian has been in better form, but Bruce seeneded adament he wouldn’t be dropping Almiron anytime soon before Leicester, so Atsu may drop out.

Up top, this could be an occasion made for Andy Carroll, but I highly doubt he’ll be thrown in from the start just yet, meaning Joelinton could well be handed another chance to bag his first goal at St James’ Park. He needs one, but he needs far more support up top and MUCH better service if we’re to get the best out of our £40m man.

What side do you see Bruce going with today? And what do you make of claims that Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark could be set to start?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

10 thoughts on “Shock NUFC team news leaked – Is this the side that’s set to start vs Man Utd today?

  1. If it’s true then he’s desperate. Joelinton needs better support. But Clark back in defence? Why? Yedlin? Why?

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  2. Let’s wait and see I’ve been raving to my mates how good Matty longstaff is and it would be great to see him play along side his brother he’s a breath of fresh air. I hope he gets a start. As for Clark replacing dummett he can’t do any worse and yedlin for manquillo is our only option both defenders will still be exposed against this the worst man utd side for thirty years allegedly. Everyone knowing their job from the start for a change might help but I would like Carroll up front with joelinton hoping balls up for him heading them on and working his socks off . We could see a different side to joelinton if he isn’t as isolated up front. As for Hayden and shelvey I’ve wanted them out from the start they aren’t working hard enough and we keep playing shelvey with his injuries it’s a no brainer leaving him out I’d rather have a fit reserve than a player with an injury. I just hope they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet and Carroll and joelinton hit the back of the net . If we do however capitulate and loose by another wide margin CASHLEY shouldn’t waste any time and sack an already sackless BRUCE. ?

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  3. It doesn’t matter who we start with we are gonna get thumped again today ! Bruce is ***** ! He has just managed to turn a team that was looking like we should be establishing a place in the premier league by probably being around 14/12 th every year then with the right recruits trying to push up Benítez was proof with organising and tactical training you could get more from average players but now with at best a nearly average manager we will now go backwards and fully expect relegation this season as they will rinse and repeat from maclaren time and sack Bruce too late but then again we will not get any manager worth anything to come to us after Bruce now

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  4. Olly , couldn’t you have at least photo-shopped Matty’s heed onto somebody else’s body just so he doesn’t look so out of place on your team sheet?

    Still don’t see why Dummett’s getting shlte, also Krafth should be in there as well.

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  5. It would appear that Krafth is a Full Back and hence suitable for the RB berth in a back 4. (Dummett on the Left) Whereas Manquillo is a wing-back on the right of a back 5 with Ritchie on the lest. Yedlin is best described as a winger as he has no defensive capabilities at all.

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