MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 23:25:16| >> :60:222:222:
[monks data]
Attendance: 52,217
Newcastle logo
Premier League | Gameweek 21
Jan 2, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Lukaku (64'), Rashford (80')

How Manchester United could line up against Newcastle United

Sports Mole looks at how a rejuvenated Manchester United could line up for their opening match of 2019, when they visit Newcastle United.

Manchester United will be bidding to make it four wins from four under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when they take on Newcastle United at St James' Park on Wednesday.

Having ended 2018 with their best winning run of the season, the Red Devils will look to get 2019 off to a perfect start as well, with just three points now separating them from fifth-placed Arsenal.

United have scored 12 goals in three games under Solskjaer so far - as many as they managed in their last nine under Jose Mourinho - and take on a Newcastle side just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Solskjaer could line his side up for their opening match of 2019.



Possible MNU XI vs. NEW

Out: Eric Bailly (suspended), Chris Smalling (foot), Marcos Rojo (unspecified)
Doubtful: Scott McTominay (unspecified), Alexis Sanchez (hamstring), Marcus Rashford (groin)

Marcus Rashford is a doubt for this game after picking up a groin injury which forced him off with 20 minutes to go against Bournemouth, and his replacement in that match Romelu Lukaku could make his first league start since December 16 as a result.

Solskjaer will be forced into at least one more change too, with Eric Bailly suspended following his red card against the Cherries, meaning that Phil Jones is expected to start.

United have played a 4-2-3-1 formation in their last two games and the success of that could see Solskjaer stick with it, despite playing a 4-3-3 system in his only away game so far.

The likes of Juan Mata, Fred and Diogo Dalot will be pushing for recalls if Solskjaer does opt to rotate things during this busy period, while Alexis Sanchez could be in line to feature after failing to recover in time for Sunday's match.

Paul Pogba is one player whose form makes him almost impossible to rest at the moment, with four goals in his last two games.

ID:345609: cacheID:345609:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4333:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Interim Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watches on during his side's Premier League clash with Cardiff City on December 22, 2018
Read Next:
How Man United could line up against Huddersfield
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!