Newcastle United will aim to continue their winning run when they welcome Manchester United to St. James’ Park on Sunday.

Gameweek 32 of the 2024/25 Premier League season continues on Sunday. The action on the day will start with three simultaneous matches before ending with Newcastle United vs Manchester United at St. James’ Park, the marquee game of the latest round of fixtures.

Newcastle United have rediscovered their best touch this season as they aim to establish themselves as UEFA Champions League regulars from England. The Magpies head into Sunday’s set of matches sixth in the standings. However, they are one of the favourites to clinch a top-five finish, considering they have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s men are on a four-game winning run, including the EFL Cup final triumph against Liverpool.

On the other hand, Manchester United have endured a topsy-turvy ride in the 2024/25 season, with the campaign featuring a changing of the guard in the managerial hot seat and inconsistent performances across the field. That has reflected in the Red Devils’ recent form, with Ruben Amorim’s men failing to win their last three matches while losing only one of their ten most recent ties in regulation time.

The reverse fixture saw a listless Manchester United lose 2-0 at home to Newcastle United, with Alexander Isak and Joelinton finding the back of the net for the Tyneside outfit. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Newcastle United manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players vs Manchester United on Sunday.

Anthony Gordon is closing in on returning from a hip injury after resuming training. Meanwhile, Howe has been sweating over Alexander Isak’s fitness due to the Swede’s recent struggles with a groin injury. However, Isak should be fit and available. Meanwhile, Joe Willock is unavailable due to concussion protocols, joining Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Lewis Hall (foot), and Sven Botman (knee) on the sidelines.

Nick Pope will likely take his spot between the sticks, with Newcastle United lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Sunday. The backline should feature Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Valentino Livramento.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton. Finally, Alexander Isak will spearhead the Newcastle United attack against Manchester United on Sunday, with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy being the two wide attackers.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes

Manchester United

Like his counterpart in the Newcastle United dugout, Ruben Amorim has no new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to St. James’ Park. The Manchester United manager will be without six first-team players on Sunday.

Amad Diallo is the most notable absentee due to an ankle injury. The Ivory Coast international accompanies Matthijs de Ligt (foot), Jonny Evans (back), Ayden Heaven (foot), and Lisandro Martinez (knee) on the sidelines.

Altay Bayindir might replace Andre Onana between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Sunday. The central defensive unit will feature Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelof, and Leny Yoro. Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu are automatic picks as the two wing-backs.

The wide duo will provide width in the final third and protect the centre-backs during the defensive phases. As for the midfield unit, Bruno Fernandes will likely pair up with Manuel Ugarte in the double pivot. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee should lead the line for Manchester United against Newcastle United, with Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount providing creative support.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; Mazraoui, Lindelof, Yoro; Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Mount; Zirkzee

Key Stats

• Newcastle United have won three of their last four games vs Manchester United in all competitions. The Magpies are aiming to complete their first league double over Manchester United since 1931. The Red Devils could lose on three consecutive league visits to St. James’ Park for the first time since 1970.
• Newcastle United will aim to clinch a fifth successive win in all competitions, a run which includes the EFL Cup final win. Only Liverpool and Crystal Palace have earned more than Newcastle’s 24 points over the last 12 Premier League matches.
• Manchester United have won only two of their eight most recent Premier League games (D3 L3), with both wins coming against teams in the relegation zone.
• Manchester United have failed to score in their two most recent Premier League matches and 12 times overall this season, the most blanks they have had since 1989/90. Only Leicester City and Everton have failed to score in more Premier League matches this season.
• Since Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League game in charge on 24 November, the Red Devils have won just 22 points from 20 matches. Amorim has the worst record of any Manchester Utd manager in the Premier League era, boasting the lowest win rate (30%) and points-per-game average of any previous manager (1.15).

Player to Watch

Jacob Murphy

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While Alexander Isak, Bruno Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Jacob Murphy as the Player to Watch for Sunday’s Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James’ Park.

The 30-year-old has been one of the most underrated attackers in the Premier League this term. Murphy has been directly involved in 19 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists, as many as his last two campaigns combined. Expect the experienced attacker to make his mark again this weekend.

Prediction

Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United

Manchester United will likely make some rotations as they prioritise winning the UEFA Europa League. So, Newcastle United will have a reasonable opportunity to win a near-century-long wait to do a league double over the Red Devils.

Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy should run riot, with Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton dominating the midfield battle. However, Newcastle United’s run of beating Manchester United with a clean sheet will not continue, with Bruno Fernandes doing his bit for the away side. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Eddie Howe and his charges.