Cavani in quarantine. Telles to make debut. Predicted Manchester United line-up against Newcastle.
🕒 Reading Time: 3 mins
Manchester United return to Premiership action on Saturday 17th October, away to Newcastle after the international break. Following a 6-1 demolition by Spurs, and with some fresh signings, we could see Ole make several changes to the starting 11. Here’s our Footi prediction.
Attack
With Martial suspended, and new boy Edison Cavani unavailable due to quarantining after his arrival in the UK, Ighalo is United’s only recognised striker available. Having only played 15 minutes from the bench this season, we predict Ole will start Rashford ahead of Ighalo in the number 9 role with Dan James filling in on the left and Greenwood on the right.
Midfield
Whilst he had a frustrating game against Spurs and was subbed off after 45 mins, you would fancy your chances that Bruno Fernandes will again be in the starting line-up, even despite the alledged dressing room bust up with Ole. Question marks remain over the rest of the midfield however. Matic and Pogba, both played a stinker against Spurs and whilst Ole is unlikely to drop Pogba even though he looks like he’s struggling for fitness, you would think Fred would be better suited against the pace of Newcastle’s Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson in place of Matic. We don’t think Ole will gamble much further than Matic in midfield, meaning Donny van de Beek, will once again have to wait to make his first Premiership start.
Bruno Fernandes (C)
Midfielder
- Nationality: Portugal
- Height/Weight: 173 cm / 80 kg
- D.O.B 08/09/1994 (30)
- Appearances: 16
- Minutes Played: 1344
- Assists: 5
- Goals: 4
- Avg Rating: 7.43
Defence
The biggest question mark has to be over the defence. With the exception of Wan-Bissaka, arguably United’s best player in their last game (which may I add is insane to even type given they shipped 6 goals), who will Ole give the nod too. Maguire and Bailly were both truly abysmal and at fault for a number of goals. Luke Shaw was lucky not to get sent off and looked like he couldn't be bothered. We think Alex Telles may make his debut, replacing Shaw at left back with Ole preferring to pair the worlds most expensive defender with Lindelöf, in place of Bailly and Aaron Wan-Bissaka completing the defence.
Goalkeeper
United have a wealth of quality backup to De Gea in Henderson and Romero. De Gea, arguably, wasn’t at fault for any of the goals against Spurs and we just can’t see Ole dropping his number 1.
Predicted Line-up
De Gea, Telles, Maguire, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Pogba, Fernandes, Greenwood, James, Rashford
Newcastle United take on Manchester United on Saturday 17th October at 8pm and you can follow all the action here on Footi.