Whisper it quietly, but you must go back as far as the 1930-31 first-division campaign for the last time that a Newcastle side completed a league double against Manchester United.
Following a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford in December, Ruben Amorim will hope to deny the Carabao Cup winners the distinction of a famous Premier League token in Sunday’s 16:30 fixture.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Eddie Howe will not be present, having been admitted to hospital on Friday evening due to illness. Everybody at the Theatre of Red wishes the 47-year-old the very best.
Sitting 13th in the table and fresh off the disappointment of the latest of injury-time equalisers in Lyon, this United side has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. However, goals have proven difficult to come by.
In contrast, Newcastle can climb to fourth with a win and still possess a game in hand on third-placed Nottingham Forest, following their second consecutive league defeat since Anthony Elanga’s winner against his former side.
Although all is not as it should be in the North West, Amorim’s men have endured a solitary league defeat in six and are eager for a shot at the Europa League semi-final with Lyon to arrive on Thursday.
Manchester United team news
Despite many anticipating changes ahead of the midweek European outing, Amorim expects a similar squad to the one he brought to Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Having seen Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo return to first-team action, the former Sporting chief was asked about welcoming further additions on Sunday.
“No, I think it’s the same,” he told the media following the 2-2 draw in Lyon.
“There’s a great responsibility. We don’t have a team that is really big to do that [rotate], and then we have some players that I know that cannot make 90 minutes in this moment still.
“We have to be careful, so we will try to address all these subjects in the game against Newcastle. But we have a great responsibility when we play any game, so I will try to look at that. That is for sure. But we have to face Newcastle with a team that we can be competitive and to win the game.”
The Theatre of Red is told that Luke Shaw has responded well to group training and is eager to gain competitive minutes, while Mount is pushing for a start against the Magpies.
Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer remain doubtful following separate injuries, while Ayden Heaven is also working hard to return to competitive action.
The 20-time English champions have lost four of the last five meetings with Howe’s side. Staggeringly, the Reds had endured as many throughout the previous 41.
Additionally, trips to St James’ Park have proven arduous in recent years. United have lost the previous two meetings at the ground, last losing three consecutive visits between 1969 and 1970.
Whether Bruno Fernandes will start the fixture remains unclear, but the Old Trafford faithful will hope for an improved showing and a well-overdue bit of backbone from their underperforming squad.
Herbert Bamlett began the 30-31 season as Manchester United manager before Walter Crickmer assumed temporary control as United ultimately suffered relegation following a 22nd-place finish.
Thankfully, as hard as the Glazer family may try to recreate the days of old, Amorim and co are fighting to retain a sense of self in the North West.
How are you feeling ahead of the latest chapter between Newcastle and Manchester United?
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