[3-4-3]: Five academy players promoted and Five first-team players removed from the squad- Manchester United predicted lineups vs Newcastle United as Ruben Amorim confirms the removal of another FIVE unserious players
Manchester United host Newcastle United in their final match of 2024 hoping to end the year in at least some form of positivity.
A wretched 2-0 loss at struggling Wolves on Boxing Day left the Red Devils in 14th place in the standings and closer to the relegation zone than the UEFA Champions League places.
New head coach Ruben Amorim has overseen five defeats in all competitions in the seven games since he warned “the storm will come” following a 4-0 win over Everton on December 1, and it does not look like things are about to get much calmer.
Their next three opponents are Newcastle and Premier League leaders Liverpool, plus Arsenal in the FA Cup on January 12.
The Magpies have enjoyed a recent resurgence, and their 3-0 win over 10-man Aston Villa last time out moved them up to fifth in the standings.
Although they were beaten 3-2 in this same fixture towards the end of last season, they have only lost two of their past seven meetings with these opponents, and a run of four straight wins — in which they scored at least three goals in each game — means Eddie Howe’s men will be confident of another good result.
Man United vs. Newcastle lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Bruno Fernandes’ red card at Wolves changed the course of the game and means the United captain will be banned for this fixture. Manuel Ugarte is also missing due to a suspension, so Amorim’s midfield will be missing two of its most important components.
Mason Mount won’t return from his latest injury until at least January, while there is still no word on when Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof will be available. Matthijs de Ligt has been struggling with illness but should at least make the bench.
Given his penchant for changing the lineup — not to mention his team’s awful recent form — Amorim will almost certainly mix up the starting 11 once more, although Marcus Rashford, who has been left out of the matchday squad for four consecutive games, is unlikely to be recalled.
Man United predicted lineup (3-4-2, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez — Antony, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dalot — Amad Diallo, Hojlund, Garnacho
