Match Preview: Newcastle United vs Manchester United

Newcastle United vs Manchester United | Premier League | St James’s Park | KO: 20:00(UK) | Sky Sports Box Office

The international break may not have come at a better time for Manchester United, following their embarrassing 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago. The players will have had time to reflect and improve, as well as get a well needed mental break going into this weekend’s fixture.

United now travel to the North East, to face Newcastle United on Saturday evening, in the first of the Premier League’s controversial ‘pay-per-view’ fixtures. A win is crucial for The Reds, in order to show fans and pundits alike that they are better than the result of the last league match.

How Do Manchester United Look?

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Since the Spurs defeat, United have signed Brazilian fullback Alex Telles, and the Uruguayan duo of Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri, having failed in their attempts to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Speaking ahead of the Newcastle clash, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Pellistri and Telles have trained with the side, but Cavani is yet to meet the squad, due to quarantine regulations.

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“Facundo – he’s been in training with us now for two days. Very exciting, young enthusiastic player with some attributes that we don’t have…Alex came in yesterday and did his recovery…so we’re looking forward to integrating him. Edinson has still not been with the group because of his quarantine” said Solskjaer.

French attacker Anthony Martial was sent off against Tottenham for hitting out at Eric Lamela, so will miss the upcoming fixtures. Cavani, of course, will not be available to replace him, so one of Odion Ighalo or Mason Greenwood will be expected to occupy the centre forward role on Saturday.

In terms of injuries, it seems that just Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones will be forced out of the match.

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One big concern at the moment for United is the form, and potentially the mental health, of Harry Maguire. The club captain has had a torrid few month, that began with the scandal with the Greek authorities. Playing for England in midweek, Maguire was sent off for two sloppy errors, and his face when leaving the pitch told a sad story; he looked broken and worn down. It is now the responsibility of the United fans, and those within the club, to protect their captain, to support him and to help him get to the other side of this. Whether it be playing him through this period, or giving him some time off, whatever is needed to help Maguire must be done.

On Maguire, Solskjaer said “Harry has got great resilience, I know he’ll bounce back. I know he wants to play; he wants to just work his way out of the last couple of games that he’s been criticised [for].

Opposition: Newcastle United

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Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United have started the 2020/21 season in somewhat inconsistent form. They opened the campaign with a 2-0 victory away at West Ham United, before losing 3-0 to Brighton and Hove Albion. Since then, they have drawn to Tottenham and beaten Burnley 2-1.

The result of this match will depend upon which Newcastle side show up to St James’ Park.

The key man for The Magpies will likely be Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin. The skilful winger has chipped in with two goal contributions so far this season in 181 minutes of football. His direct attacking style when running with the ball will pose a serious threat to United’s back four, and Aaron Wan Bissaka will be expected to be the one to try and deal with that directness.