Manchester United take on Newcastle United in a high-pressure clash on Saturday. Mourinho would be looking to end his 4-match winless run. It has been a despairing couple of weeks for United, after they were again held at home on Tuesday night by Valencia.
Next up for #MUFC:
🆚 Newcastle
🗓 Saturday 6 October
🏟 Old Trafford
⏱ 17:30 BST
🏆 #PL
🎫 https://t.co/RK8iZgD9v2 pic.twitter.com/G2WXOtqxnl— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 4, 2018
With the unfathomable pressure on Mourinho and his squad, and the expectation by the fans for a response on Saturday, Mourinho is likely to field a strong starting eleven. Anything less than a victory would be unacceptable to the Club hierarchy and might only escalate the chances of Mourinho’s departure.
Provisional Squad against Newcastle United :
Defenders: Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Marcus Rojo, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young
Midfielders: Fred, Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata
Attackers: Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku
The boss is intent on bringing "the happiness of a win" back to Old Trafford on Saturday. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 5, 2018
Team News :
Lingard’s groin injury kept him out against West Ham and Valencia which will eventually keep him out against Newcastle United. Marcos Rojo is weighing a return from his lengthy layoff but unlikely to feature against the Magpies. Ander Herrera and Ashley Young are other two likely absentees for the Newcastle United Clash.
Predicted Line-up Against Newcastle United :
Mourinho is likely to continue with his favoured 4-3-3 formation again.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
It would be a surprise for the Spaniard to be absent between the sticks against Newcastle United.
Defence: Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw
The United is likely to continue on the right side of the back four, despite the recent underwhelming performances. Time for Jose to think about giving Dalot the nod ahead of Valencia in the Premier League.
Bailly returned to the starting XI after his woeful performance at Brighton last month. He had a decent game and looked secured at the back, partnering Smalling, who probably has been United’s best defender in the past month or so.
Luke Shaw is an undoubted starter, he has been United’s most consistent player this season and hopefully continues his excellent form.
Midfield: Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Fred
The Brazilian should replace Fellaini for Newcastle United game, the latter offering a very little when going forward against Valencia. Pogba should start despite his relationship with Mourinho repeatedly being questioned. Matic should start at the base of the midfield sitting in front of the back four.
Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez
Marcus Rashford was United’s brightest attacker on Tuesday and should be in contention of a starting spot on the left flank, with Alexis Sanchez likely to start on the right side against Newcastle United.
The Chilean’s woes just don’t seem to end, he contributed little going forward on Tuesday. He seems far even from the shadow of the explosive left-winger he was at Arsenal, it’s a matter of time before he is replaced by Martial in the starting eleven.
Lukaku is likely to lead the line against Newcastle United to end his recent goal drought and net his 5th league goal of the season possibly.
Jose Mourinho has won all 7️⃣ of his home matches against Newcastle, seeing his sides score 18 times while conceding just once. #MUNNEW
… Are things different this time?? pic.twitter.com/7rNGed24iV
— FotMob (@FotMob) October 5, 2018
Newcastle United are yet to win a game in the Premier League this season which will give Manchester United very less excuses if they underperform again, given the form they are in right now. Although, the Red Devils should be cautious about the Newcastle United frontline with the Joselu and Ayoze Perez leading their attack. Losing the game might become the last nail in the coffin for Mourinho with the criticism he has been facing recently.
