Eddie Howe has some big decisions to make ahead of Newcastle United’s penultimate game of the season.
The Magpies head to Old Trafford to face a Manchester United side that are seriously out of form, with pundits backing Newcastle United to win.
Michael Owen went early with his prediction of a Newcastle victory, while Paul Merson also thinks the Magpies will come out on top. If that does happen, it will mean that Newcastle will finish above Man United for the first time since 1977.
It is a great opportunity for Eddie Howe, who has some big selection dilemmas heading into Wednesday night’s game at Old Trafford.
Against Manchester United, we are predicted Howe to make two changes to the Newcastle United team that drew 1-1 with Brighton
Eddie Howe makes goalkeeper decision against Manchester United
The first big change could come in goal, with Howe debating whether or not to replace Martin Dubravka with Nick Pope.
We called on the Toon boss to make that change against Brighton, but Howe stuck with Dubravka after hinting that Pope was not quite fit enough to be starting in the Premier League.
He has since spoke about the England international again ahead of the Manchester United game, and sounded much more open to the prospect of recalling Pope to the starting XI.
Howe said: “Nick has come back from a serious injury, a big problem to a big area of the body for a goalkeeper. He has still been getting his rhythm back from the training work he has been doing. I am really pleased with how he’s looked. He has continued to improve through training, every game I have a decision to make and that will be another one.”
The Newcastle manager has said he has a decision to make, which would imply that Pope is ready to be genuinely considered for selection again. And if that is the case then he has to start. This is a massive game, and he is without a doubt our best goalkeeper.
Kieran Trippier returns for Newcastle after Brighton cameo
Another Newcastle United change could come in defence, with Kieran Trippier available again after a calf injury.
The 33-year-old missed nine consecutive games, but made his comeback during the 1-1 draw with Brighton. He was a late substitute, but has since stated that he is 100% fit. If that is the case then he should start, as his quality and experience will be invaluable in a game of this stature.
The big decision will be who does he replace – Tino Livramento or Lewis Hall. We are going with the latter, meaning Livramento will switch to the left of defence.
It is harsh on Hall, as the £28million man has been playing very well as of late. But Trippier is a level above, and this is our biggest game of the season.
Alexander Isak starts at Old Trafford
Newcastle United are sweating on the fitness of not one but two strikers going into Wednesday’s game against Manchester United.
Eddie Howe has admitted that both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have not trained ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, with his two strikers suffering from illness.
That is why Isak struggled so much on Saturday against Brighton, and it resulted in him coming off earlier than anticipated.
READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots
But we are hopeful that he will be fit to start, joining Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy in attack.
Predicted XI vs Man United: Pope; Trippier, Krafth, Burn, Livramento; Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
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