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3 days ago
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Manchester United make four changes to the starting line-up after their 2-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers … though all eyes are on Marcus Rashford’s return to the squad after four games on the naughty step. Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte are suspended, while Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo drop to the bench. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee step up.
Newcastle United are in If It Ain’t Broke mode. They’re unchanged following their 3-0 home win over Aston Villa.
The teams
Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Diallo, Hojlund, Zirkzee.
Subs: Bayindir, Kukonki, Malacia, Yoro, Collyer, Mainoo, Antony, Garnacho, ☞☞☞Rashford☜☜☜.
Newcastle United: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Barnes, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
The great Mancunian soap opera … is of course Coronation Street. It was nice to see Gail get a good send-off on Christmas Day. And her dance in the dream sequence with Richard Hillman was delightful. But there’s Marcus Rashford as well, and Manchester United have posted footage on the old Twitter of the striker, who had been left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad for United’s last four games, arriving at Old Trafford all dressed for work. So that’ll have a bearing on tonight’s teamsheets. Speaking of which …
Preamble
Manchester United have lost their last three games in all competitions, and their last two at Old Trafford, shipping three goals on both occasions. Newcastle United by contrast have won their last four by an aggregate score of 14-1. On the other hand, Newcastle have only won once in their last 39 visits to Old Trafford in the league, and Eddie Howe’s never won here in the league at all, drawing two and losing five of his seven visits. So both teams have some historical straw to cling onto, even though the here-and-now stuff favours the visitors, who are looking to condemn their hosts to a third consecutive league defeat for the first time since 1979. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
