The last time Manchester United visited St James’ Park was just over a year ago. As Ruben Amorim’s side languished on a much-changed Tyneside, they were put to the sword by the unruly hosts.
Altai Vaindil made the most of a particularly miserable afternoon as the Red Devils fell four points behind Newcastle United as the Europa League continued, with their Premier League ambitions effectively dashed.
Eleven months on, there are no distractions for Michael Carrick’s side and the Old Trafford side are keen to continue this long unbeaten run, with their last defeat in the top flight away at Villa Park in December.
Newcastle have been one of the teams beaten since then, with Amorim overseeing his last win as manager on Boxing Day and the Carrick train showing no signs of derailing heading into the crucial stage of the season.
That said, the midweek games will be a real test for this United group, although recent weeks have shown they are not completely firing on all cylinders.
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While Amorim has made some catalog changes, United’s previous trip to St James’s saw them line up a front three of Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes, a vastly different proposition to what Carrick could deploy this time around.
Newcastle vs Man United – Starting Eleven | |
|---|---|
April 13, 2025 – 4-1 | |
position | player |
GK | bindil |
R.C.B. | mazrawi |
C.B. | lindelof |
L.C.B. | Endowment |
RWB | share |
CM | Ugarte |
CM | Eriksen |
L.L.B. | accumulate |
rum | Fernandez |
rum | grenache |
ST | jirkzee |
Indeed, INEOS’ attacking trio who arrived in the summer are starting to hit their stride, with Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko linking up brilliantly for the win away to Everton.
Against Crystal Palace, Cunha equalized with a spot-kick, before Sesco, making his first start under Carrick, secured the win with a bullet header.
This attacking trident is slowly coming together, but after such a relentless performance in Derby, United have endured a particularly subdued first half against West Ham United, the Toffees and Palace and have not impressed over their last three games.
The aforementioned Mbeumo has recorded two assists during that time, but his influence has waned a bit as he has played in and out of games on the left, center and right flank.
In the last game against the Eagles, the 26-year-old, who remains United’s top scorer with 10 goals this season, was particularly ineffective, losing the ball 10 times in 41 touches and failing to register a single shot.
With Sesco expected to start again, manager Carrick will need to decide who will form the attacking line, as Mbeumo’s position may be under threat.
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While the trips to West Ham and Everton weren’t exactly memorable, Sunday was arguably United’s worst opening 45 points, as they quickly fell behind Oliver Glasner’s side and failed to create a single big chance before the break.
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Cunha’s tight play on the left didn’t help matters, nor did Mbeumo’s subdued performance on the right, with the Red Devils once again relying on Bruno Fernandes to pull the strings in the middle.
On paper, a front four including Sesco appears to be the best configuration, especially considering he has been a top-four scorer in all competitions this season.
That said, United usually look a better team when Amad is involved, and the Ivorian’s absence was felt in the first half of the weekend.
The 23-year-old, hailed by writer Dev Bajwa as looking “unplayable” under Amorim, has failed to make any final appearances this season, scoring just one goal and providing just two assists in the top flight.
But that doesn’t tell the full story of his involvement, the diminutive winger is a very good asset with the ability to beat people and get into the box, especially coming off the bench in the last game, completing 100% of his dribbles and passes.
His involvement in goals may have decreased compared to last season, when he scored 21 goals under Amorim, but his pace and craftsmanship have lifted the team, much like Louis Saha has of late.
Indeed, Saha, who had a memorable spell with Newcastle in 1999, was not the star of a United team that featured the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, but when he was fit and available he undoubtedly made Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a better side.
Only that trio, or Ronaldo and Rooney in 2006/07, would claim glory, with Saha only scoring 42 goals in total for the club, but the ex-Fulham man was extremely dynamic and was only a handful in the mobile centre-forward role.
Indeed, Gary Neville said that although Saha was not a prolific goalscorer like Ruud van Nistelrooy, the team was “probably better” with the Frenchman replacing the free-scoring Dutchman, and that Saha boasted an ability to handle “the ugly parts of the game”.
That is certainly true of Amad, and while Sunday’s outing may have been perceived as United’s best forward line, or at least their more high-profile one, the former Atalanta wonder’s influence cannot be ignored.
Mbeumo is in good form, but Wednesday could give Carrick the perfect chance to change things up.
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