Man Utd (H): Pre-match thoughts, team news & predicted line-ups

There’s a funny feeling coming into this one. It was the exact fixture that really kick-started our campaign in the second half of last season, however our home form has been horrific so far – with 7 defeats, 1 draw and 2 wins in 10 at St James’ Park.

We did pretty well at Watford, putting in a solid display after a bit of a battering at Anfield, but we all know we can pick up points on the road – it’s our performances at home that need to seriously improve in 2019 if we’re going to beat the drop this time around.

I’d like to bet that we get right up for this one and are MUCH better than we were at home to Fulham in our pre-Christmas stalemate on Tyneside, however it looks like Man Utd have turned the corner just when we didn’t want them to.

Although Mourinho had to go, I’m a firm believer that the players weren’t pulling their weight under Jose and essentially played to get him sacked. Solksjaer has clearly had a positive effect on them, with them suddenly playing with more freedom, flair and energy, but I’d like to bet that is more to do with Mourinho leaving than the influence Solksjaer’s arrival itself. To me they’ve shown a lack of respect for the club paying them and the fans watching them this season, so I for one would like to spoil Solksjaer’s honeymoon period with a big win of our own.

There’s talk that the ‘shackles are off’ their star men all of a sudden – and that shows given they’ve scored 12 goals in their last three games – but I still believe they have a soft centre and have not been tested defensively in their last three. We need to get into them from the off, fight for every ball with an intensity the likes of Pogba and Martial will struggle to handle and make sure we get balls into Rondon at every given opportunity.

We won’t beat them if it comes down to individual quality, but collectively we can get the better of them.

Preferred XI

As ever, here’s the team I’d like to see, followed by the side I expect Rafa to go with:

Not a great deal to say on the team this week really.

If Fernandez does miss this one (after limping off at half time on Saturday) then it’ll be Schar who comes in.

In midfield I’d like to see Shelvey to partner Diame to give us that bit more quality and creativity from the middle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Rafa stuck with Hayden given Shelvey’s lack of match fitness.

Kenedy was left out at Watford and will be pushing for a recall but Atsu was outstanding at the weekend and fully deserves another chance. The big test will be seeing if he can keep his performances at that level – with him being the sort of player who has struggles to put together strong back-to-back displays.

As said earlier, we’ll need to get balls into Rondon – our sole threat in attack these days. Given how well he’s got crosses in from the left in our last two, Ritchie’s deliveries will be key – so I’m really hoping Rafa keeps him on the left.

Predicted NUFC team – (5-2-2-1) – Dubravka – Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie –  Diame, Shelvey – Atsu, Perez – Rondon. 

The Opposition

Here’s some of my ‘ones to watch’ in Man Utd’s side:

Paul Pogba – He’s come alive since Mourinho left, delivering 4 goals and 3 assists in Solksjaer’s opening three games in charge. He’s now playing in a more advanced role ahead of their two central midfielders and has looked a different player in the last few weeks.

Marcus Rashford – He’s played in a central striker role since Solksjaer took over and is another who’s immediately responded well to their more attacking and fluid style of play. His skill for their opener against Bournemouth on Sunday was outrageous. Martial is another, who could torment Yedlin if the American isn’t at it defensively.

Victor Lindelof – He’s another who’s done well following the change of manager, however he’s not the biggest of centre-backs and may struggle if we get good balls into Rondon. That battle could be one to watch.

Predicted Man Utd  – (4-2-3-1) – De Gea – Young, Jones, Lindelof, Shaw – Matic, Herrera – Rashford, Pogba, Martial – Lukaku.

Team news

Fernandez could miss out with a hip injury sustained on Saturday and Clark looks set to miss out once again – as will Ki who’s away at the Asian Cup.

For them, Bailly is suspended at centre-back after his straight red during their 4-1 win over Bournemouth. Rashford came off with a groin complaint but he looks like he’ll be fine. Lukaku and Sanchez will be pushing for a chance in the side after returning to training.

Match Prediction

It may have been a point, but it doesn’t feel like we can get any worse than we were vs Fulham last time out at St James’.

I expect us to be ‘at it’ under the lights and play with much more intensity than we have in recent home games, but Man Utd look like a totally different animal so could run away with it if we don’t out-run and out-battle them in every department.

I think we’ll have our moments but I see them having a bit too much for us unfortunately. This is a game that could start out second-half of the season push towards safety, but they’re full of confidence all of a sudden and we really are struggling at home, so I’m not feeling too confident unfortunately.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Man Utd

Howay the lads!

(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.

96 thoughts on “Man Utd (H): Pre-match thoughts, team news & predicted line-ups

  1. Kimtoon: they are showing Chelsea here. Were the pens legit or do you have your B&W specs on?

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  2. Kimtoon: I was commenting on Pogba’s stupid dance the other day and lamenting the fact we didn’t have Barton or Nolan in the team. I have no idea what that dance is supposed to be but at one point he glances deliberately off to the side like Princess Di so you know he practiced in front of the mirror and wanted a photo of that bit in the papers. Ponce.

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  3. Gutted!! Boys haven’t deserved 0-2 tonight like. But when one side has Lukaku and Sanchez on the bench and the other has Muto and Kenedy it says it all doesn’t it.
    Atsu has been very good, just lacks that finishing ability or composure.

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  4. Eric, I need to look again mate but I think the shove in the box on Atsu looked a pen for sure.

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  5. Well, that’s the difference when you can bring £200 million of subs off the bench… at least 1 pen should’ve been given to us.. but never against Manure … 2 points off relegation now. Burnley won again ? and Saints hold Chelsea… oh dear … oh, and Howey has egg on his face I think..

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  6. 2 points from 12 in the festive period is relegation form. I don’t care how we played we need more points. Will probably continue through the Spurs game although Chelsea are inconsistent.

    We need reinforcements before Cardiff. If we can just pick up the points there it would be something to cling (desperately) to and we would have gotten most of the hard games out of the way with the easiest (on paper) run-in.

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  7. Atsu my motm, deserved a goal tonight. Diame going off changed the game, Shelvey is a lazy sod, not tracking again . And Kenedy too easily shoved off the ball, no better than Perez tbh n that respect.
    Rafa far far too late putting Muto on imo.
    And what has happened to Lascelles ? last 3 games has looked a red card waiting to happen.

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  8. Eric we are down mate, can’t see the fat man spending and our luck is all out. Can’t even get a pen .

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  9. Kim – yeah Atsu was finding great space and causing Man Utd problems tonight – pity he couldn’t finish his chances.
    Shelveys passing created a few chances but his workrate was poor – maybe heavy legs coming back.

    Rondon just looked isolated up top tonight which was ashame because Jones and Lindelof looked shaky.

    Defensively I think we look fine, especially with the 3 CBs formation. But we desperately desperately need quality up front. If we don’t bring improvements in up front then we’re fecked

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  10. I have to be honest, I don’t think there was penalty tonight.
    If it’s the Atsu/Lindelof shoulder to shoulder – not for me. If that was given against us I’d be foaming.

    Equally, I think Shelvey could have seen red for his challenge on Pogba.

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  11. I am going to state the obvious – Shelvey and Lejeune need to play in the FA Cup to get match fit. Actually, with Diame getting a knock we sort of have no choice. Then Longstaff for Hayden. And Murphy in.

    I think it is time to “rest” Lascelles as well if he was close to another red card tonight. I say “another” because he has been on the brink of one for a while. We have to hope that Lejuene steadies him otherwise drop him as we have Schar, Fernandez, Clark and Dummett who can all play in a back 3 with Lejeune.

    Lejeune has to play every game from now on. I thought he and Dubravka were our best players last year even though they only had a half a season. Lascelles got all the plaudits. He was a mistake waiting to happen before a good season in 17/18 and now has reverted to type.

    I think Muto is off to this stupid Asian Cup so… WECOME BACK JOSELU.

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  12. Sharpy17:
    I have to be honest, I don’t think there was penalty tonight.
    If it’s the Atsu/Lindelof shoulder to shoulder – not for me.If that was given against us I’d be foaming.

    A certain Mr Andre Marineer gave a penalty in the Derby for an identical tackle by Colo if you remember and yes we were foaming about it, but what’s good for the goose and all that.

    Equally, I think Shelvey could have seen red for his challenge on Pogba.
    Agreed, Shelvey was a liability, like last game when he came on.

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  13. Table looking ominous now. We need points from Chelsea and/or Cardiff or we are in the bottom 3/4 after Spurs. It is probably a bottom 6 now as Palace are pulling away.

    NEED PLAYERS TOO, YOU FAT FCK.

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  14. take it back sharpy it was bobby madley not marriner
    well one ***ts pretty much same as another where these refs are concerned. 😆
    The foul was the same though and red card overturned later.

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