MANCHESTER UNITED VS NEWCASTLE UNITED
Cristiano Ronaldo might make his second debut against Newcastle this weekend at Old Trafford after completing a sensational move to the Theatre of Dreams for Manchester United from Turin this summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side lie 3rd in the Premier League after two wins and a draw in three games.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United will likely be involved in yet another relegation scrap in the English top-flight after no new signings arrived in Tyneside this summer, with only Joe Willock’s acquisition on a permanent transfer after a successful loan spell last year.
As the clock ticks down towards a possible second debut for Cristiano Ronaldo in front of the Old Trafford faithful, FootTheBall provides you with an exhaustive match preview for the clash at Old Trafford this weekend.
TEAM NEWS
United may have to do without Jadon Sancho after the England international missed the Three Lions’ matches against Hungary, Andorra and Poland due to a minor knock.
What part do you think @Cristiano will play in #MUNNEW? 🤔
Head to our app to make your United Predictions now! 📲#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 9, 2021
Marcus Rashford is still sidelined after a shoulder surgery, but Scott McTominay trained once again in Carrington after a groin operation.
Alex Telles is also back in training sessions, while Dean Henderson, Fred and Edinson Cavani were similarly involved. Question marks remain over Fred’s availability after Brazilian players were at the centre of a controversy where they could be banned for this game.
Manchester United probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1) : de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Matic; Pogba, Fernandes, Ronaldo; Greenwood
Newcastle have started the season in an underwhelming fashion, with their woes compounded and exacerbated by a lengthy injury list. Players such as Martin Dubravka, Jonjo Shelvey, Karl Darlow and Elliot Anderson have all been ruled out, while Callum Wilson, Paul Dummett and Isaac Hayden are doubts for the game.
Freddie Woodman has been featuring in goal in the absence of Dubravka and Darlow, who are sidelined for the Magpies.
Newcastle United probable starting line-up (3-5-2) : Woodman; Fernandez, Lascelles, Schar; Murphy, Willock, Longstaff, Almiron, Ritchie, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin
GAMECHANGERS
BRUNO FERNANDES
The Portuguese is the fulcrum of United’s creativity in midfield and can thread beautifully weighted passes as well as score goals whenever the opportunity presents itself to him.
𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 ♨️#MUFC | #PhotoOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/kJw0no4pa0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 8, 2021
The 27-year old scored a scintillating hat-trick on the opening matchday at Old Trafford against Leeds United and has been the focal point that links defence and attack seamlessly.
Therefore, the responsibility will be on him to unlock Newcastle United’s defence once again and guide young starlet Mason Greenwood while the Englishman continues to amass valuable experience on the pitch.
ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN
The French forward will have to carry Newcastle’s attack if fellow forward Callum Wilson doesn’t feature for the Magpies in the forthcoming match.
👊 𝙈𝘼𝙓𝙄 👊
🔜 #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/aCfwE0byAx
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 7, 2021
Saint-Maximin already has a goal under his belt this season in the Premier League and he will be hoping to score more against Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.
Joelinton might start alongside him in attack at the Theatre of Dreams, but given the vast injury list of Newcastle United, Saint-Maximin will have his task cut out this Saturday in Northwest England.
PREDICTION
Manchester United have a much better-equipped squad than their visitors obviously, and therefore the advantage will be with them this weekend. Couple this with the fact that Ronaldo might be making his debut once again and virtually it turns into a question of by how much rather than if they will win this match.
FootTheBall’s prediction: Manchester United 3 – 1 Newcastle United