Man Utd team news vs Newcastle and predicted lineup | OneFootball

Manchester United will look to climb up the Premier League table when they travel to face Newcastle United on Sunday at 4:30pm.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs Newcastle

Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Lindelof, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Eriksen, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee

Man Utd’s full focus for the week will undoubtedly be on the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon on Thursday. But the Red Devils also cannot afford to drop further down the table, for their own reputation.

They face a Newcastle side that have won four of their past five games, climbing up to fifth in the table. And the Magpies are still flying high off the back of their Carabao Cup success.

Man Utd team news vs Newcastle

Ruben Amorim has a lot of decisions to make surrounding his team against Newcastle. Does he rotate heavily to ensure his side have the best chance in the Europa League against Lyon? Or does he still aim for a positive Premier League result, with the Red Devils currently winless in two.

Whatever he picks, Amorim does have absentees. Matthijs de Ligt is still unavailable with a foot injury, and continues to be assessed. Jonny Evans and Ayden Heaven are also missing from the Man Utd defence, alongside long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez.

So there may not be any option when it comes to Man Utd’s defence. Victor Lindelof may come in for Harry Maguire, to give the Englishman some rest. But Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui are both expected to start. Andre Onana came under fire once again in midweek, but dropping the goalkeeper might have a negative impact ahead of Man Utd’s season-defining game in midweek.

Kobbie Mainoo made his return to the bench against Lyon and came on for a late cameo. But it may be too soon to start him, so Christian Eriksen could replace Casemiro in midfield to allow the Brazilian rest.

Up front, Joshua Zirkzee might get the nod over Rasmus Hojlund, flanked by Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho. Hojlund has started Man Utd’s past two games, but failed to find the net in either.

Zirkzee or Hojlund?

Man Utd have had a striker problem this season, with neither of their options really thriving. And it’s left an interesting battle. On paper, Zirkzee has had the better season than Hojlund, making the most of his time on the pitch — which isn’t much less than the Dane though he’s played five more games.

Zirkzee has played every league game for Man Utd this season, amassing 1,337 minutes. In that time, the Dutchman has averaged a measly 1.3 shot (excluding blocks) per 90 minutes. For comparison, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has averaged 2.25 shots (excluding blocks) per 90. Hojlund has averaged 1.0 shots (excluding blocks) per 90. Zirkzee has also hit the target more than Hojlund with 0.7 shots on target per 90 compared to 0.6. But Hojlund does have the better accuracy.

Zirkzee leads for goals and assists too, at 0.3 and 0.1 per 90, with Hojlund averaging 0.2 goals per 90 while failing to record an assist. This is despite the pair matching on 0.8 chances created per 90. In fact, the only main striker metric Hojlund has performed better than Zirkzee in is fouls won, at 1.4 per 90 to 0.9.

Zirkzee wins per duels, has more touches in the opposition box and has completed per take-ons per 90 than his strike rival. Maybe it’s time for him to get a proper run leading the line, and not as the supporting act.