St James’ Park units the stage for a handsomely-looking Premier League showdown between Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim’s fees had been second away from beating Lyon within the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday.
Nevertheless, two sloppy reactions from much-maligned goalkeeper Andre Onana condemned the Crimson Devils to a 2-2 draw on the Groupama Stadium.
Younger centre-back Leny Yoro scored his first aim for Man Utd since becoming a member of the membership from Lille for a considerable switch price of €62 million final summer season to attract his aspect stage on the stroke of half-time.
Joshua Zirkzee turned the sport on its head within the 88th minute, prompting broad plaudits from Amorim, who thanked the Previous Trafford trustworthy ‘for serving to the Dutchman regain type’ by way of the Every day Mail.
Nevertheless, Onana’s scrappy intervention in second-half stoppages allowed Lyon to place issues again to sq. one forward of subsequent week’s return fixture on the Theatre of Goals.
With a lot of United’s ambitions for subsequent season hinging on lifting the Europa League title for the primary time since 2017, this daunting journey to Tyneside is undoubtedly an unwelcome distraction.
Reversed fortunes
Regardless of dominating the all-time head-to-head document in opposition to Newcastle, Man Utd have just lately grown to detest this match-up, with the Magpies turning the tables on the record-time English champions.
A 2-0 defeat in December’s reverse fixture places the Crimson Devils vulnerable to shedding each league conferences with Newcastle in a single season for the primary time since 1930/31.
Having already set a number of undesirable data throughout his comparatively temporary stint within the dugout, Amorim would seemingly be determined to keep away from one other detrimental feat this weekend.
That might show simpler stated than finished, contemplating Eddie Howe’s males have gotten the higher of United of their final two encounters on this floor with out conceding.
As if that’s not troubling sufficient, Man Utd’s final away win in opposition to the Magpies dates again to 2020, highlighting the magnitude of the duty awaiting them on Sunday.
Excessive-flying rival
In keeping with the Every day Report, Howe needed to pull out of Friday’s pre-match convention attributable to sickness.
Nevertheless, that shouldn’t cease the 47-year-old supervisor from attending the sport this weekend as his Newcastle aspect search a fourth consecutive win within the Premier League.
Reluctant to relaxation on their laurels after beating Liverpool within the League Cup closing on the eve of March’s worldwide break, Newcastle have dispatched Brentford and Leicester Metropolis of their final two league outings.
In doing so, the Magpies have equalled Chelsea’s factors tally in fourth, consolidating their pursuit of a second top-four end in three years.
Extending this purple patch will seemingly relaxation on Newcastle’s skill to carry Man Utd at bay, contemplating they’ve not gained this fixture when each groups discovered the web since 2001 (D5, L29 since).
Tough patch
In stark distinction to Newcastle’s rip-roaring sequence, Man Utd head into proceedings amid a three-match winless run throughout all competitions (D2, L1), that includes a scoreless draw in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final weekend.
Nevertheless, United’s solely defeat in that stretch stays their solely loss inside 90 minutes in ten video games (W3, D6), suggesting Amorim has turned the nook after an underwhelming begin.
The ex-Sporting CP boss would in all probability admire a extra aggressive method from his aspect after the Crimson Devils netted only one aim inside the primary quarter-hour throughout this Premier League season.
Reaching that feat exterior Previous Trafford may very well be a tall order, understanding Man Utd have solely gained as soon as of their final 4 away league video games (D1, L2), failing to attain in each losses.
How might Man Utd line up?
(3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.
