Manchester United take on Newcastle in a huge game in the race for Europe. It’s win or bust for the home side, against a Newcastle team who currently hold onto a place in the Premier League’s top six.
Here is all you need to know about Wednesday’s clash at Old Trafford.
Form
Manchester United: DWDLL
One win in eight Premier League games has seen Manchester United’s season stutter, with the Red Devils dropping out of contention for Champions League qualification. Erik ten Hag’s team could miss out on Europe entirely, having slumped to eighth in the table ahead of fixtures with Newcastle (H) and Brighton (A) to conclude the campaign.
United are three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle and Chelsea in seventh, though have a vastly inferior goal difference to both teams and can not afford a slip-up. It could be a season of unwanted lows for the Red Devils, who have never finished a Premier League season lower than seventh (2013/14). The club are also four points adrift of their lowest-ever Premier League points total (58) which was set in 2021/22.
Our final home matchday of the season ????️????#MUFC || #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/zkrR5Peuqf
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2024
Ten Hag’s position as manager is under huge threat and this could be his final game in charge at Old Trafford if he is sacked in the summer. Defeat would set a new club-record for the most home defeats ever recorded in a single season (10).
Newcastle: WLWWD
Newcastle, in contrast, have lost just one of their last eight to climb into the Premier League’s top six. The Magpies have been in good goalscoring form and have netted 4+ goals in three of their last five Premier League encounters.
Alexander Isak scored his 20th league goal of the season earlier this month and the Swedish striker has become the first player since Alan Shearer, and only the fifth, to reach 20 goals in a Premier League season for Newcastle.
Anthony Gordon has offered fine support and has 10+ goals and 10+ assists, becoming just the third Newcastle player to do so in a Premier League season, after Andy Cole and Ruel Fox.
Let’s do this. ????
⚫️ HOWAY THE LADS! ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ROywuKgLM5
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 15, 2024
A top-six finish for Newcastle would guarantee back-to-back seasons in European competition for the first time since 2005/06 and 2006/07.
Last Meeting
Newcastle 1-0 Manchester United, Premier League, 02/12/2023
Newcastle have had the better of recent meetings between the teams and have won the last three encounters in all competitions.
Two of those wins have come this season, with the Magpies following a 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the Carabao Cup with a Premier League win just a month later.
Anthony Gordon continued his strong start to the season with the winner at St James’ Park, as the winger turned in from Kieran Trippier’s cross to hand Newcastle a deserved three points.
Anthony Gordon gives Newcastle a deserved lead at St. James’ Park! ???? pic.twitter.com/vPdY7xo5AJ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 2, 2023
Such was their dominance, Newcastle fired 14 shots on goal in the first half alone.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Kambwala, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Newcastle: Dubravka; Trippier, Krafth, Burn, Livramento; Anderson, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Barnes, Isak, Gordon
Who is the referee?
Rob Jones.
What channel is Man United vs Newcastle on?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event.
What time is kick off?
20:00 BST, May 15th 2024.
Odds
Manchester United – 17/10
Draw – 23/10
Newcastle – 13/10
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