After 98th-minute heartbreak in Paris and that disgraceful VAR decision that robbed us of a historic win over PSG, we’re back in Premier League action as Man Utd arrive on Tyneside for Saturday night’s 8pm kick-off.
We have no one back from injury and will be wounded from Tuesday’s injustice, but there were so many positives in midweek. Hopefully we can take that anger out on an Erik ten Hag side who suffered a damaging 3-3 draw at Galatasaray on Wednesday night. They’ve won three-straight in the league without conceding, but they’ve rode their luck so often this season, have a soft core and injuries of their own.
A win would be massive for so many reasons, as we’d not only leapfrog them in the league and get another one over a long-standing rival, but keep the momentum going after we battered Chelsea last Saturday. Here’s what Howe’s had to say ahead of the game:
“Physically fine. Mentally I think there was a bit of reflection and a lot of disappointment (after PSG). Collectively we felt minutes away from a historic result. What happened, happened. A new day comes and you look at it slightly differently. It can’t linger with us. Even for a couple of days because that hinders our future.
“We want to get through the month and do well. We’ve still got a really good team on the pitch and a very good team. We have youth and experience, We’re good enough to get some positive results.
“You can never underestimate the qualities of Manchester United, they have a very good Head Coach who is leading them, we have total respect to our opposition. They are performing well; they have quality players. We need to keep that momentum and energy from our recent performances. I think it will be a very good game.”
Team news
Howe is hopeful Sean Longstaff (ankle) and Joe Willock (Achilles) won’t be long-term issues, Sven Botman is back on the grass and Harvey Barnes is yet to train.
Callum Wilson, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Sandro Tonali remain out, but Matt Ritchie and Emil Krafth could return to the squad after being ineligible for the Champions League on Tuesday.
For Man Utd, Luke Shaw is fit again and has started their last two, but they’ll be without Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo.
Predicted line up
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento – Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
With Longstaff, Willock and Botman still out, I can’t see Howe making any changes. Lewis Hall is fresh and could come under consideration, I just struggle to see a space for him in the current side.
It’s tough on Isak to play three games in a week after a spell out with a groin injury, but it’s a case of needs must right now. We can’t afford any more setbacks, so let’s hope he comes through alongside Miggy and Gordon; our only fit attackers right now.
Prediction
Since the cup final defeat earlier this year, we’ve blown Man Utd away not once but twice by an aggregate score of 5-0. They have steadied the ship in the league, but that papers over the cracks.
Our injury list remains extensive, yet I back us to have too much for them under the lights at St James’ Park. We’ll be a wounded animal on Saturday night and the crowd will be fired up; the perfect mix for a big performance against the one club we love to beat! Isak to cause chaos in a comfortable home win.
NUFC Blog prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Man Utd
HWTL!
Good article as always Olly! Cannot disagree with anything you say and I too see an unchanged side. I’d be delighted with that scoreline.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Lets hope we take our frustrations in CL out on Man u .
hwtl
kimtoon(Quote)
How is it still 0-0? What a half. But so wasteful.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brilliant from the lads, best team by far. Great result only marred by Popes injury.
kimtoon(Quote)
By god, we’re doing well, 5 comments on match day against Manchester United! 😳. How far the site has fallen.
On another note, how great were Livramento, Gordon and Miley? Great win!
Gilly Toon(Quote)