16y/o called-up to Newcastle United squad v Man Utd as Eddie Howe names team
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Manchester United v Newcastle United: Team news as Eddie Howe makes X changes for Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Newcastle United go in search of back-to-back wins at Old Trafford tonight when they face Manchester United in the Premier League’s only Boxing Day fixture.
The Magpies have a terrible record away at Manchester United, but have won on two of their last three visits to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. That included a 2-0 triumph just-shy of a year ago when goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton secured a comfortable win for Eddie Howe’s side in the middle of their nine-game winning streak.
The Magpies earned a point against Chelsea last time out, although they did throw away a two-goal lead in that game to Enzo Maresca’s side. A win for Howe’s side this evening would move them into the top-half of the table and a victory by a two-goal margin, just like they achieved here 361 days ago, would even see them leapfrog their hosts in the Premier League table.
Manchester United, meanwhile, were beaten by Aston Villa on Sunday in a game that also saw them lose the services of talisman and club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese international was substituted at half-time of that game with his manager confirming this week that he would miss out tonight.
Fernandes joins the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs De Ligt on the treatment table at Old Trafford. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui also miss out tonight due to their African Cup of Nations commitments.
Newcastle United team news v Manchester United
As anticipated Howe has not made any changes for tonight’s game at Old Trafford, sticking with the starting XI that began their draw against the Blues on Saturday. Newcastle were brilliant in the first-half of that game and it’s no surprise that Howe believes that they are the key to success at Old Trafford tonight.
There is a surprise call-up on the bench, though, with 16-year-old Sam Alabi named on a Premier League bench for the first time. Alabi has impressed in the youth setup on Tyneside and replaces Anthony Elanga on the substitution bench as he drops out of the matchday squad.
Nick Pope, who has been absent since their defeat in Marseille in the Champions League last month, makes his return to the matchday squad. Aaron Ramsdale, though, keeps his place in the starting XI tonight.
Newcastle United starting XI v Manchester United: Ramsdale, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Substitutes: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Willock, A.Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi
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Manchester United team news v Newcastle United
Manchester United starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, Martinez, Mount, Cunha, Dorgu, Casemiro, Shaw, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko
Substitutes: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Yoro, J.Fletcher, T.Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee