Manchester United travel to Newcastle on Saturday, looking to bounce back from their humiliating home defeat against Tottenham.
The visitors travel to St James' Park with spirits low, having lost two of their opening three league games. The general atmosphere at Old Trafford has been very negative, so Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be desperate for a win to silence the critics.
The Magpies have made a positive start to the season, losing just one of their seven competitive fixtures this season. They could climb into the top four this weekend with a win, although they'd need several results to go their way.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Saturday 17 October
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (BST)
Where Is it Being Played? St James' Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Box Office (UK), FuboTV (US)
Referee? Craig Pawson
Team News
The hosts have a number of injury worries, especially in defence. Jamal Lewis, DeAndre Yedlin, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, and Paul Dummett are all doubts.
Miguel Almiron picked up a knock on international duty, but the extent of it is currently unknown. Allan Saint-Maximin could also miss out, while Dwight Gayle, Matty Longstaff, and Martin Dubravka are all sidelined.
As for the away side, they have a decision to make up front. Anthony Martial is suspended following his red card two weeks ago, and new signing Edinson Cavani is still in quarantine due to COVID-19 restrictions. Mason Greenwood seems like the most natural replacement.
While Cavani is a confirmed absentee, Brazilian left back Alex Telles is in contention for his debut, having signed from Porto before the international break. There could be a further shake-up in defence, with Axel Tuanzebe potentially being given the nod.
Despite his red card against Denmark while on England duty, Harry Maguire will likely start.
Predicted Lineups
Newcastle: Darlow: Krafth, Schar, Fernandez, Manquillo; Hendrick, Shelvey, Hayden, Fraser; Wilson, Joelinton.
Manchester United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Telles; Fred, Van de Beek, Fernandes; Mata, Greenwood, Rashford.
Recent Form
Steve Bruce's men are enjoying life right now, having picked up seven points in their first four Premier League games. This is their best opening to a season since 2011/12 and have also reached the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup after seeing off Blackburn, Morecambe, and Newport County.
Callum Wilson in particular has made a promising start to life on Tyneside, netting four goals in as many games. His brace against Burnley took him to fifth in the Golden Boot race.
In contrast, it's been a lacklustre beginning of the campaign for the Red Devils. They have also reached the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup, but this has done little to mask the underwhelming league performances.
The defence has been an absolute car crash for Solskjaer's side. Only West Brom have conceded more goals so far this season. After Maguire's horror show against Denmark on international duty, there is little to suggest that their fortunes at the back will turn around any time soon.
Here are the last five results for each side.
Newcastle
Newcastle 3-1 Burnley (3/10)
Newport County 1-1 Newcastle (30/9)
Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle (27/9)
Morecambe 0-7 Newcastle (23/9)
Newcastle 0-3 Brighton (20/9)
Manchester United
Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham (4/10)
Brighton 0-3 Manchester United (30/9)
Brighton 2-3 Manchester United (26/9)
Luton Town 0-3 Manchester United (22/9)
Manchester United 1-3 Crystal Palace (19/9)
Prediction
The last time these two met at St James' Park, the home side came out on top due to a low strike by Matty Longstaff.
Nothing short of three points will be enough to lift the mood at Old Trafford, so we can expect Solskjaer to set up to win. An in-form Newcastle side could fancy themselves to pile more misery on the Red Devils, but it will be difficult without a number of key players.
Ultimately, it could all come down to whether the United players can put the last few weeks of negativity behind them. If they can turn up at their best, then they should have too much for their opponents. Their defensive concerns still remain, but their attacking quality could be enough to compensate.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-3 Manchester United
Source: 90min
