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Under fire, Ruben Amorim will hope he can find a solution to Manchester United’s dire situation when his team welcomes in-form Newcastle to Old Trafford on Sunday. Here are predictions, team news, betting tips, and possible line-ups for the game.
Manchester United are experiencing a concerning slump, having lost their last three matches across all competitions.
This follows a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-0 away loss to Wolves, adding to their EFL Cup exit against Tottenham Hotspur.
The win over Manchester City in the derby provides a rare glimmer of hope, but United have otherwise struggled in the Premier League this month, losing four of their last five matches—the most of any team in the league during this period.
This poor run has seen them plummet to 14th place in the table, with only 22 points from 18 games. They now find themselves eight points above the relegation zone and a significant 12 points adrift of fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.
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Facing Newcastle United at this juncture presents a significant challenge.
Eddie Howe's side are in excellent form, having won their last three league matches, including a resounding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Newcastle have been particularly potent in recent times, scoring 11 goals in their last three matches while maintaining a clean sheet in each game.
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Head to Head
Newcastle United have enjoyed recent success against Manchester United in the Premier League, winning two of their last three encounters.
However, United secured a 3-2 victory in the last encounter between both sides.
Historically, Old Trafford has been a fortress for United against Newcastle, with only one defeat in their last 39 home league games against the Magpies; that solitary loss occurred in December 2013 under David Moyes.
However, Newcastle have struggled to finish the year on a high note, failing to win any of their last seven calendar-year-ending matches, recording two draws and five losses during this period.
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Team News and Possible Lineups
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Manchester United will be without Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte due to suspensions. Fernandes was sent off against Wolves, while Ugarte received his fifth yellow card of the season.
In Fernandes' absence, Harry Maguire is expected to captain the side, potentially keeping Matthijs de Ligt on the bench as he continues to recover from illness. Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho could also be beneficiaries of the midfield suspensions.
Mason Mount, Victor Lindelöf, and Luke Shaw remain sidelined with injuries, while Marcus Rashford was once again omitted from the squad against Wolves, and his return for the Newcastle match seems unlikely with transfer rumours intensifying.
For Newcastle, Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope, and Emil Krafth remain unavailable for selection.
Sven Botman continues his recovery from a serious knee injury but is not yet ready for first-team action. Tino Livramento, who missed the win over Villa due to illness, is expected to be available, potentially displacing Kieran Trippier.
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Manchester United Predicted lineup (3-4-3)
Onana (GK); Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia; Amad Diallo, Hojlund, Fernandes
Newcastle United Predicted lineup (4-3-3)
Dubravka (GK); Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; J. Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Predictions & Betting Tips
After a series of disappointing results, a strong performance from United would not be surprising. However, Newcastle are in exceptional form and are likely to secure at least a point in their final match of 2024.
Newcastle win or draw
Over 1.5 Goals
Newcastle to score
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