Football is a funny old game, and momentum can change the public perception in a matter of days. Newcastle are the prime example of this, and the Magpies will furnish the latest test for a wounded Manchester United side later this evening.
Seven positions separate the Premier League sides before kickoff, with Ruben Amorim’s men collecting three points from a possible 15 while Eddie Howe has enjoyed a trio of consecutive victories.
A memorable 2-1 Manchester derby showing supplied frantic excitement amongst the Old Trafford faithful as Amad Diallo displayed his world-beating majesty against Pep Guardiola’s outfit.
But defeat against Spurs in the Carabao Cup preceded back-to-back league defeats against Bournemouth and Wolves, with a subsection of supporters threatening to question this new-look style.
Truthfully, much of the difference between the sides has been a clinical showing in the final third.
For context, Howe’s men have hit 14 goals in their previous four outings, while United have managed five and failed to register any in their two previous fixtures.
It does not take much to inspire a group of Premier League footballers, and the return to form of Alexander Isak has supplied just that. The Swedish international has contributed seven goals and two assists in his last five league excursions, coinciding with his side’s promising form.
Although the Reds have faltered in front of goal, an astonishing tally of 61 goal attempts from 360 minutes of football indicates more than a hint of a possibility of fortuitous times ahead.
Sometimes, it only requires the simplest of sparks.
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Having collected his third red card of the season, Bruno Fernandes is unavailable for selection through suspension.
Manuel Ugarte will also miss out, having collected his fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign during the 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof are all absent through injury, with the trio not expected to return until 2025.
The Theatre of Red predicted starting XI
Much has been made of Amorim’s start to life in the North West, with adversity a common theme for the former Sporting chief. But, the 39-year-old has embraced this and remains confident of achieving his goals at the club.
“If we are to make the long-term changes that we want to make to Manchester United, then we have to go through that step by step,” he wrote in the latest installation of the United Review.
“We are looking to implement a new way of playing at the busiest time of the year, so there are short-term costs for our long-term aims.
“I will say, though, that the players are working hard to take on and use all the new information and instructions they are getting.
The longer they do this, the easier it will become for them, and then the comfort and confidence in our game will grow.”
Disregarding the current state of play, the Reds hold an imperious Old Trafford record against Newcastle, losing only one of their previous 39 Manchester fixtures.
But, the Magpies have won two of the previous three meetings between the sides, with United leading the league in losses since the start of the calendar month (4).
Not since 1985 (Everton) and 1986 (Norwich) have the 20-time English champions endured consecutive defeats in the final game of a calendar year. Having fallen to a 2-1 loss against Nottingham Forest in 2023, the Theatre of Dreams will remain hopeful for a return to form.
Will Manchester United prevail against a resurgent Newcastle side?
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