Man Utd v Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Man Utd host Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday in the English Premier League. The match will signal the second coming of will all eyes on the legendary Portuguese forward. Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has a disastrous record at his former home ground and is not expected to spoil the party.

Man Utd Form

Man Utd has started this season with some mixed performances. They thrashed Leeds 5-1 on an opening day but were disappointing in the second half to draw 1-1 at Southampton after that. Their third match saw a late 1-0 win at Wolves. The true story of that match is that United conceded 2.1 Expected Goals and should really have lost comfortably.

At Old Trafford, United responded to a home loss to Sheffield United in January 16 points from the next 18 available. Late-season home defeats followed to Leicester and Liverpool when faced with playing twice in three days. Solskjaer’s team ended their home season with a 1-1 draw against relegated Fulham.

Man Utd Team News

United are without Marcus Rashford due to his shoulder surgery whilst Scott McTominay has had an operation on a groin problem and will be absent. Jadon Sancho missed England duty but should be fit enough to at least be on the bench for this one.

Cristiano Ronaldo will surely start as the center-forward with Mason Greenwood on the right flank. Paul Pogba could play on the left if Sancho is not enough to start, with Nemanja Matic partnering Fred in front of the back four.

Man Utd Motivation

United’s entire squad will be keen to win this match with the fanfare around Ronaldo. The crowd is sure to be whipped into a frenzy and will the side attacks throughout and chases more goals even if leading.

Anything less than a victory would be seen as a very poor result from this match and Solskjaer will open up in search of a winner if needed – which could expose his side to Newcastle on the counter-attack.

Newcastle Form

The Toon have had a poor start to this season. They were beaten 4-2 at home on an opening day against West Ham having led twice in the match. A 2-0 loss at Aston Villa followed before being eliminated from the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate at home against Burnley.

Their last match saw another two leads squandered as a last-minute penalty was conceded in a 2-2 with Southampton. In reality, Newcastle deserved to lose having seen the Expected Goals count at 1.2 to 2.6 for Saints. After a run of eight defeats in ten matches on the road last term, Newcastle won three of their last four away league matches.

Newcastle Team News

Newcastle remains without two goalkeepers as Martin Dubravka struggles with an ankle injury and Karl Darlow is suffering from long COVID. Freddie Woodman will continue in goal in their place. Jonjo Shelvey will be missing in midfield and Isaac Hayden is also an injury doubt in that area.

Callum Wilson has been carrying a thigh injury but may be fit to return up front having had the international break to recover. Steve Bruce is expected to continue in a 3-5-2 formation.

Newcastle Motivation

There is no doubt that the Magpies will be highly motivated for this match and will hope to spoil the party for Ronaldo. Newcastle would almost certainly take a draw but aren’t that well equipped to park the bus with the nature of their wingbacks and having two attacking players in the midfield three.

Key Stats

Man Utd have won 5 of their last 6 PL matches against Newcastle

United have won 6 of their last 10 home PL matches (D2, L2)

United have scored 39 goals in their last 14 home PL matches

Newcastle have won just one of their last 36 away PL matches against Man Utd (D9, L25)

Steve Bruce has taken just one point from 36 available in his PL visits to Old Trafford (D1, L11)

Newcastle have conceded 2+ goals in 6 of their last 8 PL matches

Verdict

This match has a big home win written all over it. Expect Ronaldo to be shooting on sight looking for a debut goal. The best bet could be Man Utd to win by a couple of goals at least.