Manchester United vs Newcastle United preview, H2H, team news, line-ups and prediction

Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford in their final home match of the season, as both teams will aim for victory to boost their chances of European qualification. 

Erik Ten Hag has endured a tempestuous second season marred by a series of injuries to his squad. The 54-year-old has undergone a series of changes to the starting lineup – including using Casemiro in the unfamiliar centre-back role – and while his performance against Arsenal improved, the manner in which they conceded showed the drastic defensive lapses in his side.

The Red Devils have ended up on the wrong side of setting new records this season – from matching the most losses in a single season since 1977-78 to conceding the the most number of goals across all competitions in 53 years.

While their qualification to the FA Cup final can be credited as the only positive this season, the certainty of winning it against a dominant Manchester City side remains slim hence finishing in the top seven might be their only bet for European qualification next season.

They will hope to avoid a fourth third successive defeat against Newcastle this season having lost the previous two in the Premier League and Carabao Cup earlier this season.

In their last Premier League outing, United showed strong character and dominated large parts of the game, but Arsenal showed superior quality to see the game off with a 1:0 win.

The 13-time Premier League Champions now gear up to face Newcastle as they look to continue their unbeaten streak against the Tyneside at home in the Premier League since 2013.

On the flip side, Eddie Howe will aim for a third straight victory over United and his second this season. The Magpies are in a better run of form having gathered seven points from their last three matches.

While their Wednesday counterparts are leaky in defence, the Tyneside club are prolific in attack, netting ten goals in their last three matches.

A ruled-out goal from Anthony Gordon in the 87th minute stopped the Magpies from claiming all three points when they faced Brighton and Hove Albion in their last Premier League outing. Sean Longstaff’s first-half stoppage time goal cancelled out an early Joel Veltman opener as the match ultimately ended in a 1:1 draw.

Newcastle’s place is not totally secured as they’re only ahead of Chelsea with a goal difference with both teams amassing 57 points. A loss to United could see them being usurped by Chelsea, but a victory over the Red Devils could secure their place in Europe next season.

Man Utd vs Newcastle  match details

• Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
• Location: Manchester
• Venue: Old Trafford
• Kick-off time: 8:00 PM BST, 7:00 PM UTC
• Referee: Rob Jones
• Assistant referees: Ian Hussin, Lee Betts
• Fourth official: Keith Stroud
• VAR: Jarred Gillett
•  Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
• Tickets: Fans can buy Man Utd vs Newcastle tickets through the official club websites or via trusted reseller Seatsnet.com.

Match stats and head-to-head 

• United have won just one of their last nine matches in regulation time. They have lost two and drawn six matches in the run.

• The Red Devils have conceded in 10 consecutive games across all competitions for the first time since October 2021.

• United have conceded 82 goals across all competitions this season, matching their previous record of conceding 82 in the 1970-71 season.

•Ten Hag’s side have lost 19 matches across all competitions this season, matching their previous record of losing 19 in the 1977-78 season.

• United have lost nine matches at Old Trafford this season, the joint-most number of matches they’ve lost at home since losing nine in 1920-21, 1930-32, 1933-34, 1962-63 and 1973-74.

• Newcastle have scored 79 goals so far in the Premier League this season, the highest goal tally they’ve recorded in a 38-game season since scoring 82 in the 1993-94 season.

•The Magpies have won three consecutive matches against the Red Devils with a clean sheet.

• Newcastle have won just one of their last 28 Premier League matches against United at Old Trafford, coming in the 1:0 win in December 2013 under Alan Pardew. The Red Devils on the other hand have won 18 and drawn nine of their next fixtures at home against Newcastle from 2013 till date.

Team news 

Scott Mctominay marked his return from injury with a start against Arsenal on Sunday and is tipped to retain his place against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez are also eyeing returns after returning to full-team training last week. The trio were left out of the clash against Arsenal for precautionary reasons but should be fit to play a part in the must-win game against the Magpies.

Amad Diallo limped off in the second half on Sunday and will undergo a fitness test to determine his availability for the next match after impressing in his first start since May 2021.

Tyrell Malacia is out of the season with a knee injury while Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are both out with thigh injuries. Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane are out of contention for this fixture with muscle injuries while Mason Mount is hoping to recover from an injury setback he suffered last week.

Anthony Martial made his return from injury but will unlikely take part in this clash after being dropped from the matchday squad in United’s last two matches.

Nick Pope has fully recovered from a lengthy shoulder injury and was on the bench for the second successive match in the draw against Brighton. The 32-year-old will be eyeing a return to the starting lineup in Newcastle’s remaining fixtures to salvage any chances of making England’s squad for the Euros.

Kieran Trippier is also in contention for his first start since returning from injury after coming off the bench in their last match.

Callum Wilson is eyeing a return to the squad as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury. Fabian Schar is also progressing with his recovery from a thigh injury and may be in contention to make the trip to Manchester.

Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman are both out with knee injuries while Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Matt Targett will not take part in this fixture with a calf, back and achilles injuries respectively.

Predicted starting lineup 

Manchester United predicted starting lineup:

Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.

Newcastle United predicted starting lineup:

Dubravka; Trippier, Krafth, Burn, Hall; Anderson, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Prediction

United will need to score a monumental 13 goals to climb to sixth place but going all out against Newcastle could leave their leaky defence at the mercy of Alexander Isak who has scored ten goals in his last ten matches.

The desperation to salvage their season will leave United with no other option than to be on the front foot, attacking Newcastle from end to end. However, the one challenge stopping United from achieving this is the lack of personnel as most of their key players are currently injured.

Howe’s side could use this to their advantage by sending barrages of attacks through counter-attacks and it could end up being a rain of goals at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

We’re predicting a 3:1 win for Newcastle.