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Manchester United tackle Newcastle United tonight in a crunch tie that would see the Pink Devils’ European hopes extinguished, not less than from their league place.
Erik ten Hag’s males nonetheless have the possibility to safe European soccer with an FA Cup win, however contemplating the trajectories of the 2 groups, it isn’t one thing many followers will dangle their hat on.
Tonight’s fixture would be the 179th assembly between the 2 sides in what is likely one of the most contested fixtures in English soccer.
United have come out on high 91 instances and with 46 matches ending up as a draw.
With Newcastle in sixth place and three factors forward of United with a considerably superior purpose distinction, solely a win will do for Ten Hag’s males.
Listed here are some plotlines to unravel earlier than the large matchup.
United want to show round poor type in opposition to the Magpies
The Pink Devils got here out on high in opposition to Newcastle within the all-important Carabao Cup closing in February 2023, successful 2-0 by way of two targets from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
Historically United have had a very good file within the Premier League versus the Magpies however this has dried up as of late.
Since successful the cup closing, the groups have performed thrice with the Mancunian aspect dropping 0-2, 0-3 and 0-1 in December 2023.
Not solely have United failed to attain a purpose however they’ve hardly been capable of lay a glove on Eddie Howe’s aspect.
That is one thing that should change if the Previous Trafford crowd are to witness any sort of European soccer subsequent season.
Can Willy Kambwala’s return ease the burden on Casemiro?
One of many few feel-good moments for the senior male crew this season has been the emergence of Kambwala as a critical squad possibility on the coronary heart of the United defence.
{The teenager} was completely spectacular in opposition to Liverpool final month and has usually handed the examination when known as upon.
United have suffered a plethora of accidents however with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof all nonetheless deemed too unfit to begin, Kambwala might seize his likelihood tonight, as he made his return on Sunday off the bench in opposition to Arsenal.
The Casemiro experiment at centre-back has been an unmitigated catastrophe with a spread of pundits blasting each the veteran and the supervisor for placing him in such a tricky place.
Reportedly, the Brazilian additionally dislikes enjoying as a defender and is much from Erik ten Hag’s largest fan.
The Frenchman has youth on his aspect and his management and power have been praised as he has been described as a “powerhouse”.
Subsequently, ought to Kambwala play, as we’ve predicted he’ll at The Peoples Particular person, a robust efficiency can enable Casemiro to maneuver ahead into his favoured defensive midfield function and hopefully restore some steadiness to the crew.
Will the assault be much less toothless with Bruno Fernandes concerned?
United truly created extra probabilities than Arsenal and surprisingly had extra possession however they by no means actually appeared like scoring.
Alejandro Garnacho huffed and puffed however his closing ball was severely missing and he confronted the wrath of quite a few pundits.
Captain Bruno Fernandes tends to be a magnet for criticism as of late however as soon as once more within the uncommon moments he doesn’t play, United look toothless.
In opposition to each Crystal Palace and Arsenal, video games he has missed, Ten Hag’s aspect might have performed 180 minutes in every and possibly nonetheless wouldn’t have discovered the again of the web.
In all chance, Bruno can be introduced again into the crew tonight and followers can be hoping he can spark a little bit of magic as soon as extra for his beleaguered aspect.
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