Newcastle United will clash heads with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as they hope to grind out a result in the Premier League. The Magpies were held to a 2-2 draw by Southampton before the international break, so we can expect Steve Bruce to set his players up to be hard to beat when they travel to the Theatre of Dreams this weekend.
The Tyneside outfit will function in a 3-5-2 formation but they will be sweating on the fitness of Callum Wilson, who is a significant doubt for this game. Jeff Hendrick could get the nod to feature as a central midfielder for the Magpies in the absence of Miguel Almiron who won’t be available because of the ‘five-day rule’ under FIFA Regulations.
3-5-2 Newcastle United Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester United
Defence
Freddie Woodman will feature as Bruce’s primary keeper after he shipped in two goals versus the Saints in his last league outing. Newcastle could set up with a back three of Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez for this clash as they try to keep Man United’s Mason Greenwood quiet during the 90 minutes.
Paul Dummett is a major concern for this game but Emil Krafth and Ciaran Clark should be ready to offer some cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
Midfield
Jeff Hendrick, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock will operate as the holding midfielders for the Tyneside giants this weekend. The hard-working trio will have to make life difficult for the Red Devils at the centre of the park if they are to have any chance of securing something from this game away at Manchester.
Matt Ritchie is expected to start as the left-sided wide player while Jacob Murphy hopes to make a good impression on the right-wing. Bruce will ask both of them to work hard defensively and stop the Man United wingers from creating too many chances from the wide areas.
Attack
Callum Wilson is a significant concern for this game. If the English striker can pass a late fitness, he will once again operate alongside Allan Saint-Maximin in the final third. Both Newcastle forwards will have to work tirelessly to keep hold of the ball and cause a few headaches for the Man United centre-backs throughout the game.
Joelinton will be on standby just in case Wilson fails to make himself available for this game.
