Newcastle United predicted starting XI to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Eddie Howe will consider making changes to his Newcastle United starting XI for tonight’s Premier League clash away to Manchester United (kick-off 8pm).
Newcastle can secure a top seven finish and finish above Man United for the first time in Premier League history if they avoid defeat at Old Trafford. Howe admits he is facing some tough decisions with Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier recently returning from injury.
“I’ve got decisions to make but I’ve got decisions to make in quite a few areas of the team,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “But I’d urge caution with the players that have had long-term injuries because I think the biggest mistake I can make is push them too quickly and then they break down, and that doesn’t help anybody.
“I’ll try and make the right decisions based on the information I receive from the medical team and speaking to the players. And of course, tactically how we set up in the game and what’s the best way to go. “
Joelinton, Almiron, Trippier and Pope were all named among the substitutes for the 1-1 draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday but all remain at different stages in their recovery.
Howe said: “Of course I could and it’s nice to have those options. I need to look at them individually, I don’t think I can sort of lump them together because they’ve come back from different injuries.”
Joelinton spent four months out with groin injury and Pope was sidelined for five months after dislocating his shoulder. Trippier, meanwhile, was out of action for nine weeks because of a groin issue and Almiron missed a month with a knee issue.
Howe said: “Joey’s is a serious injury that required an operation so I need to make sure he’s the Joe that we know and not somebody who is trying to find his rhythm and form with two games to go, that would be foolish of me.
“It’s great to have him fit and available, and it’s the same with Miggy and Nick. Just their presence is vital and I’ll see whether I use them from the start or not.
“Nick is another player who has come back from a serious injury, this isn’t a minor a problem that he had, this is a big problem to a big area of the body for a goalkeeper. Yes, he’s been back technically fit but he’s still been getting his rhythm back from the training work that he’s been doing even now because naturally you’re doing things on a consistent basis you haven’t done for a while.
“I’ve been really pleased with how he’s looked, he continued to improve through training but like every game I have decisions to make and that’ll be one.”
Here’s how Newcastle United are predicted to line-up at Old Trafford:
1. GK: Nick Pope (in for Martin Dubravka)
Pope could make his first appearance since dislocating his shoulder against Manchester United at St James’ Park in December.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier (in for Tino Livramento)
Made a late cameo against Brighton after nine weeks out with a calf injury. Newcastle have missed his quality down the right.
3. CB: Emil Krafth
Set to continue at centre-back until Fabian Schar returns from his hamstring injury.
4. CB: Dan Burn
Burn hasn’t put in a bad performance since moving back into the heart of defence. Has led the team fantastically in recent months.
5. LB: Lewis Hall
Hall has made the left-back spot his own in recent weeks after recovering from a difficult opening six months on Tyneside.
6. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
The Brazilian will need to be at his influential best if Newcastle are to claim another win at Old Trafford.
7. CM: Sean Longstaff
Longstaff has steadily improved in recent games after finding the net against Burnley and Brighton.
8. CM: Joelinton (in for Elliot Anderson)
Newcastle will need to fight for three points on Wednesday and Joelinton brings physicality and aggression to the midfield.
9. RW: Jacob Murphy
The visit of Brighton wasn’t Murphy’s best performance but Miguel Almiron failed to grasp his opportunity.
10. LW: Anthony Gordon
Gordon has been in scintillating form this campaign and was unsurprisingly crowned the club’s Player of the Year last week.
11. ST: Alexander Isak
Isak was unwell in the build-up to the Brighton game and that showed in his performance. But he should benefit from a few more days of rest.
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