Manchester United travel to St James Park for a Saturday night clash against Newcastle in their first Premier League fixture back following the international break.
Ole Gunnar’s side has endured a dismal start to the 2020/21 season, with a 6-1 home thumping by Tottenham making it two defeats from three games – both at home – and 11 goals conceded.
Looking to heap more pressure on Solskjaer is a Newcastle team that have won two of their opening four matches this term – including a comfortable victory over Burnley last time out – and are also through to the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
Manchester United were absolutely wretched against Tottenham, with their defensive shortcomings ruthlessly exposed time and time again.
All of their wins so far this season have come on the road, but this is likely to prove a tough test against a Newcastle side that now boast greater firepower.
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle’s Jamal Lewis is fit despite missing Northern Ireland’s last game.
Matty Longstaff, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett are nearing returns and will play for the Under-23s on Monday, but a setback for Martin means he is unlikely to return until December.
Edinson Cavani is in quarantine after his move to England and is unavailable.
Fellow deadline-day signing Alex Telles is in contention for his debut, while Donny van de Beek could start his first Premier League game since joining from Ajax.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Newcastle have won two of their past three Premier League home games against Manchester United, compared to just one victory in their previous 13 attempts (D3, L9).
- The Reds could lose back-to-back league matches at St James’ Park for the first time since 1987.
Newcastle United
- The Magpies can claim back-to-back home league wins for the first time since beating Southampton and Crystal Palace in December 2019.
- Victory would give them 10 points from their opening five games, which would be the club’s best start to a top-flight season since 2001.
- Steve Bruce has won only one of 24 league and cup matches against Manchester United as a manager, though that victory came in this fixture last season.
- Callum Wilson has scored four goals in his four Premier League games for Newcastle, one more than he managed in his final 28 top-flight appearances for Bournemouth.
- Karl Darlow has made 20 Premier League saves this season, more than any other player prior to the latest round of fixtures.
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Manchester United
- Manchester United have conceded 11 league goals, their highest figure at this stage of a season for 90 years.
- They could lose three of their opening four league games for the first time since 1986.
- The Red Devils have won five successive Premier League away matches, scoring at least twice in each victory. They have never earned six top-flight away victories in a row while scoring more than once in each fixture.
- United have conceded from a penalty in each of their first three league matches – the only side to do so in each of their opening four Premier League games were Wimbledon in 1999.
PREDICTION: 2-1
