The international break has come to an end, which means domestic football is back. Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United will travel to St. James’ Park this weekend for a highly anticipated fixture against Champions League-chasing Newcastle United. We at Last Word on Football have put together a Manchester United predicted lineup for the game where a loss would see the Old Trafford-based outfit drop to fourth place and be surpassed by their opponents on goal difference.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup: Red Devils Looking to Bounce Back From Southampton Draw
How Manchester United Have Lined up Recently
Erik ten Hag has been a victim of his own success this term. United’s impressive results across all competitions have resulted in a copious number of games coming thick and fast, meaning that the squad has been subject to much rotation as of late. Club captain Harry Maguire has started the last two matches, despite his general lack of involvement all season, because of Raphael Varane’s minor injury setback.
New acquisition Antony has divided opinion amongst fans but changed the fortunes of United’s most recent game – vs Fulham – when he replaced Scott McTominay 58 minutes in. With Alejandro Garnacho set to be absent, the Brazilian is almost a nailed-on starter this weekend.
Free-scoring Marcus Rashford, who Rio Ferdinand described as “scary” earlier this season, withdrew from the England squad for the most recent set of international fixtures and was an injury doubt heading into the Newcastle game, but he has been spotted back in training with the hopes he is fit for selection.
Since his winter window arrival at the club, Wout Weghorst has started every single game despite being brought in to deputise for Anthony Martial when needed. He’s played a variety of different roles but is expected to be United’s target man for this trip.
Unavailability Dampening the Manchester Mood
Unfortunately for the Manchester camp, their side has taken quite the beating through unavailability, whether that’s the odd injury or suspension. Christian Eriksen is nearing a return and his stop-gap replacement Marcel Sabitzer will probably miss this clash for precautionary reasons. Though the Austrian was impressive for his nation, the midfielder picked up a knock on international duty and Ten Hag won’t want to risk another injury concern.
United’s impressive youngster Alejandro Garnacho is also set to sit this one out after suffering an ankle injury before the international break. Erik ten Hag has assured fans that the Argentinian will be back in action before the season closes, but this weekend may prove too much of a rush.
Arguably Manchester United’s most important player, Casemiro is set to serve the second of his four-match suspension this weekend after he was controversially dismissed for a first-half challenge against Southampton in early March.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bisakka, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Fred, Antony, Bruno Fernandes (C), Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst
