Amorim makes 2 changes | Predicted Man Utd XI vs Newcastle as "very good" 18yo starts
Manchester United host Newcastle United in tonight’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are winless in their last two league games and have the opportunity to end the streak against the Magpies. A victory would send them within goal difference of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Manager Ruben Amorim could make at least two changes to the starting XI. The club will have to cope without Bruno Fernandes, who picked up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa last weekend.
Alongside the captain, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo have been ruled out with injuries, while Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are on international duty.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Line-up:
Senne Lammens has been United’s ever-present in goal since making his debut against Sunderland in October. The Belgian has not kept a clean sheet since that game and has the chance to end the streak against the Magpies.
The backline could stay unchanged. There is the temptation to pick Lisandro Martinez in the starting XI ahead of an underperforming Leny Yoro, but it may not happen. Amorim has generally stuck with a right-footed right centre-back in his back three.
We also don’t see three left-footed centre-backs starting together against the Magpies. On current form, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw should continue in the heart of the defence alongside Yoro.
Diogo Dalot is a nailed-on starter at right wing-back. The same can be said for Patrick Dorgu on the opposite end. The Dane was hugely impressive against Villa. He won 13 duels and provided an assist for Matheus Cunha’s goal. He delivered another peach of a cross, only for Cunha to fluff his lines.
In the centre of the park, there could be an overhaul. Fernandes is obviously injured, while Manuel Ugarte could also make way after a lacklustre performance against Villa, where he should have done better in closing down Morgan Rogers in the lead-up to both goals conceded.
Casemiro should line up as the holding midfielder after his one-game suspension, and we anticipate a surprise start for 18-year-old Jack Fletcher after receiving praise from Amorim in the pre-match presser. The Portuguese said that Fletcher did a ‘very good‘ job in his cameo at Villa Park and hinted at a prominent role for him with Fernandes on the sidelines.
Fletcher could be used to man-mark his opposition in the heart of the midfield in his full United debut, in our view. His good work rate and duel-winning ability could be utilised. Further forward, Mount and Matheus Cunha are likely to start the game as the two attacking midfielders.
We could see Mason Mount drop into a deeper midfield role, making it a 3-5-2 formation when United are out of possession. Benjamin Sesko looks set to lead the line against Eddie Howe’s side ahead of Joshua Zirkzee, who could leave for Roma next month.
How Man Utd could line up vs Newcastle
Stats from Sofascore.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .