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Newcastle United have only managed one league win at Old Trafford in 49 years, with a 1-0 victory back in 2013. The Magpies will be looking to change that record; while the home side look to improve their form after two straight draws.
Manchester United will be feeling confident after their impressive 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League during the week.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James were the difference and put them in good stead for the weekend. However, the Red Devils’ midfield injury concerns look to have worsened as Scott McTominay was forced to come off on the hour-mark and is now a doubt for the encounter.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side won the reverse fixture 4-1 after going 1-0 down to a Luke Shaw own goal in the first two minutes.
Three late goals from Fernandes, Aaron Wan-Bisakka and Rashford secured all three points. However, Newcastle looked dangerous throughout and definitely showed how United could be penetrated.
With McTominay being a doubt and Paul Pogba being ruled out until March, Solskjaer’s midfield options are becoming rather thin.
Donny van de Beek didn’t make the trip to Italy which also makes him a doubt for the weekend, however, the midfielder looks the most hopeful out of the three. Phil Jones is out with a long-term injury and Edinson Cavani is also a doubt after not travelling to Italy.
Newcastle have their own injury problems, with the Magpies missing their top scorer Callum Wilson who has been ruled out for the next few months with a hamstring injury.
The striker has netted ten Premier League goals this season, which is six more than any other Newcastle player. Steve Bruce’s men will welcome back Jeff Hendrick from suspension but Javier Manquillo and Fabian Schar will miss the match.
The visitors for this fixture have only managed to take six points from a possible 15 but have picked up points against Everton and Southampton who are both having terrific seasons.
However, the Magpies will take confidence from the fact that Manchester United have only managed one win from five matches, with their last league outing being a disappointing 1-1 draw at West Brom.
United’s recent poor form has stemmed from poor defensive displays against Sheffield United, Everton and West Brom.
With Victor Lindelof taking most of the flack, especially after his poor positioning for West Brom’s goal in the most recent fixture. The Swede was dropped on Thursday night for the returning Eric Bailly and United looked better for it, keeping a clean sheet and looking strong throughout.
However, if United stick with Lindelof then Newcastle will be fairly confident that they can exploit the Red Devils defence. The skill and agility of Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin could cause problems for the defensive duo of Harry Maguire and the aforementioned Lindelof as they’re prone to struggle against quick and nimble attackers.
In contrast, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men have been on top form at the other end of the pitch. They top the goalscoring table with 50 goals and the man of the moment, Fernandes, will be full of confidence after scoring three goals in his last two matches.
Newcastle have only kept four clean sheets all season so the goal threat of the Portuguese midfielder and Rashford will be keeping Bruce’s men up all night.
As well as getting a victory, United fans will be hoping f0r another chance to see Amad Diallo in action. The youngster made his first-team debut with a brief cameo against Real Sociedad.
With United’s injury list growing, the 18-year-old’s chances of playing have increased and with Newcastle’s defence being weakened, it may be the perfect time to introduce the Premier League to the Ivorian.
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