Manchester United captain Harry Maguire in action. (Getty Images)
Manchester United are back in Premier League action as they take on Newcastle on Saturday. The club received the battering of their lives when Spurs tore them apart at Old Trafford before the international break. In what can only be described as a horror show, United completely failed to turn up for the game as they sit 16th in the table with 2 losses from their opening 3 games.
Newcastle are certainly no pushovers. They have won two and drawn one game in the four they have played. Solskjaer will have his task cut out against a side that likes to sit deep and suffocate teams.
Solskjaer will have to deal with a double blow of missing two of his striking options. Anthony Martial will have to start a three-game suspension for his red card against Tottenham. New signing Edinson Cavani has to be under quarantine and Axel Tuanzebe is back to fitness again after a long injury layoff.
The Spaniard is on a rough patch for a while now and with the recent results like the ones against Spurs and Ukraine (for Spain in the Nations League). It remains to be seen how much time is afforded to him as calls for Dean Henderson start to grow louder.
Wan-Bissaka is expected to continue at right-back.
Eric Bailly was thrown into the mix against Spurs but the Ivorian was rather shambolic. Lindelof is very likely to come back into the starting line-up on Saturday.
With no new defensive reinforcements, captain Maguire remains United’s best bet in central defence and will be hoping to get things straight after dropping a stinker against Spurs.
The new man for United could well make his debut for the Red Devils as fans will be hoping that he can replicate his Porto form for his new club.
Matic would want to get back on the right foot since being hauled off at half-time in the Spurs game.
The Frenchman has looked off-colour for a while now and has done himself no favours by dropping the ‘Real Madrid dream’ comment. Still remains vital to the team.
The Dutchman could finally get his first league start as Solskjaer might have to tweak the formation in the absence of Cavani and Martial.
With Fernandes testing negative for COVID after Ronaldo’s positive test, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Fernandes looks like he is still not back to his best. One can only hope he does that sooner rather than later.
A goal for England should give the forward some confidence, something he looks to be lacking in recent games. Likely to feature in a more central role.
Partnering Rashford should be Greenwood as the youngster is one of United’s most exciting players.
