Newcastle’s penultimate game of the season takes place on Wednesday evening when they face off against Manchester Utd at Old Trafford.
Newcastle head into the fixture looking to achieve something never done in modern times and that is a premier league double over the red devils; having last achieved such a feat way back during the 1930/31 season.
Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Matt Targett, and Sandro Tonali are all ruled out while Eddie Howe is assessing the fitness of Fabian Schar before naming his squad. Kieran Trippier may return to the starting eleven after his brief substitute outing against Brighton while fitness doubts continue to curse Callum Wilson. Miguel Almiron and Joelinton both got a run out on Saturday as they continue their steady return to fitness but whether Howe considers them to be up to starting remains open. Nick Pope has been named on the bench for the last two games but whether he is selected ahead of Dubravka is another thing that Howe needs to decide upon before naming his team.
As for Manchester Utd, they will definitely be without Harry Maguire, fellow central defenders Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez, as well as Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Tyrell Malacia. Doubts also remain over the availability of Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Eddie Howe takes his team to Old Trafford for the second time this season and in doing so seeking an unprecedented double after the 3:0 victory in the Carabao Cup back in November, with the goals coming from Almiron, Hall and Willock.
And while reflecting on that cup victory Howe isn’t dwelling on the result. “I don’t think we’ll use it [the cup win] in any way," Howe said. "It's a very different game and moment in our season. I think it’s always when you’ve had a positive result at grounds, you’re going to visit but this is a one-off game, and we’ll do everything we can to perform well.”
A beleaguered Erik Ten Hag meanwhile talked openly after Sunday’s home defeat to Arsenal of Man Utd as a club facing ‘massive problems’ as they sit three points behind Newcastle in the race for a top six place.
“That is the situation we are in but still we can get there so we have the opportunities we have to take them and fight,” he told reporters. “Even when the problems are massive, everyone knows this, especially positions and lines.”
"You can't progress a team in certain key areas with so many injuries," Ten Hag added. "It's like swimming with your hands on your back and you have to keep your head above the water level, that is what we try to do." And it must be said that the swimming analogy is quite apt given the pictures of a water sodden Old Trafford that were broadcast across the world on Sunday evening as the Manchester weather showed up the shocking condition that the stadium roof has been left in by the owners.
Match Referee is Rob Jones, and his Assistants are Ian Hussin and Lee Betts. The Fourth official is Keith Stroud. And in the VAR hut will be Jarred Gillett and Eddie Smart.
Kick-off is 8pm and the game is live on Sky Sports.
Newcastle head into the fixture looking to achieve something never done in modern times and that is a premier league double over the red devils; having last achieved such a feat way back during the 1930/31 season.
Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Matt Targett, and Sandro Tonali are all ruled out while Eddie Howe is assessing the fitness of Fabian Schar before naming his squad. Kieran Trippier may return to the starting eleven after his brief substitute outing against Brighton while fitness doubts continue to curse Callum Wilson. Miguel Almiron and Joelinton both got a run out on Saturday as they continue their steady return to fitness but whether Howe considers them to be up to starting remains open. Nick Pope has been named on the bench for the last two games but whether he is selected ahead of Dubravka is another thing that Howe needs to decide upon before naming his team.
As for Manchester Utd, they will definitely be without Harry Maguire, fellow central defenders Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez, as well as Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Tyrell Malacia. Doubts also remain over the availability of Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Eddie Howe takes his team to Old Trafford for the second time this season and in doing so seeking an unprecedented double after the 3:0 victory in the Carabao Cup back in November, with the goals coming from Almiron, Hall and Willock.
And while reflecting on that cup victory Howe isn’t dwelling on the result. “I don’t think we’ll use it [the cup win] in any way," Howe said. "It's a very different game and moment in our season. I think it’s always when you’ve had a positive result at grounds, you’re going to visit but this is a one-off game, and we’ll do everything we can to perform well.”
A beleaguered Erik Ten Hag meanwhile talked openly after Sunday’s home defeat to Arsenal of Man Utd as a club facing ‘massive problems’ as they sit three points behind Newcastle in the race for a top six place.
“That is the situation we are in but still we can get there so we have the opportunities we have to take them and fight,” he told reporters. “Even when the problems are massive, everyone knows this, especially positions and lines.”
"You can't progress a team in certain key areas with so many injuries," Ten Hag added. "It's like swimming with your hands on your back and you have to keep your head above the water level, that is what we try to do." And it must be said that the swimming analogy is quite apt given the pictures of a water sodden Old Trafford that were broadcast across the world on Sunday evening as the Manchester weather showed up the shocking condition that the stadium roof has been left in by the owners.
Match Referee is Rob Jones, and his Assistants are Ian Hussin and Lee Betts. The Fourth official is Keith Stroud. And in the VAR hut will be Jarred Gillett and Eddie Smart.
Kick-off is 8pm and the game is live on Sky Sports.
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