Eddie Howe must decide how his Newcastle side line-ups against Man United after their Everton disappointment
Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring Newcastle United's second goal at Burnley
Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring Newcastle United's second goal at Burnley(Image: Paul Currie/Shutterstock)
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Eddie Howe has to get his starting XI right tonight when Manchester United land at St James' Park. He got it badly wrong against Everton, forced into an about-turn inside 30 minutes.
Newcastle almost got away with it that day - but a slow start still ended up costing them. They can't afford anymore slip-ups, and Howe will have thought long and hard about how he should line his side up this evening.
Nick Pope, Dan Burn and several others seem at risk of losing their places after dips in form, but options remain limited for Howe. We asked our team of writers what starting XI they would choose.
Lee Ryder
Newcastle United should still be capable of fielding a strong line-up against Man United regardless of illness concerns for Nick Woltemade. The mere fact that Eddie Howe shone a light on that suggests there is scope for further absentees at St James' Park.
My line-up would see Aaron Ramsdale come back between the posts while Kieran Trippier has little choice but to plough on with Tino Livramento touch and go. If Livramento can play an hour I'd do it.
I'd pair Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn in the middle because I believe the Blyth battler will be eager to make up for the Everton defeat. Lewis Hall continues on the left as an easy choice.
In midfield with Woltemade on his sick bed, I'd go with Sandro Tonali. Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey. Harvey Barnes on the left of the front three and Anthony Elanga on the right. Anthony Gordon is my choice as a centre-forward but I'd be asking all of them to justify their own selection.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali, Ramsey, Barnes, Elanga, Gordon
Sean McCormick
Nick Woltemade's illness gives Eddie Howe the green light to take him out of the firing line but I wouldn't make too many changes to the team who beat Everton.
Nick Pope has come under fire for his mistake in that defeat but Aaron Ramsdale didn't do enough when given his chance to prove he is a better option in goal.
Injuries mean Newcastle can't make too many alterations but one area they have to keep fresh is at centre-half. Given Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have both not started one of the last two games it is perhaps Dan Burn's time to sit this game out in order to keep all three players fresh in Fabian Schar's absence.
Sandro Tonali is a lock in midfield and if he has recovered from his illness I think Jacob Ramsey is, too. Despite Newcastle's recent poor league form, Ramsey's individual performances have been a rare bright spot. Joelinton was much more effective when he was moved back to midfield on Saturday so he would complete the midfield trio.
Jacob Murphy scored on Saturday and is the better option than Anthony Elanga on the right-wing. Harvey Barnes should come back in to the team on the left-wing and Anthony Gordon should continue through the middle. Yoane Wissa hasn't shown anywhere enough to displace him from the side at the moment.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Barnes; Gordon
Ross Gregory
There has to be changes tonight, and several of them. If Tino Livramento was fit, he'd be another to come in for me especially given Man United's pace, but I feel it will just be too soon for him so the only change in my back four is Botman for Burn.
Behind them, Nick Pope is fortunate that Aaron Ramsdale hasn't impressed when handed the chance. That's the only reason he keeps his spot for me.
A midfield trio without Joelinton may seem a gamble but I'd rather have Joe Willock's energy and running power for this one and with neither Jacob Murphy or Elanga exciting me on the wing, I'd give Harvey Barnes the right flank slot, which means Anthony Gordon back on the left and Yoane Wissa through the middle.
To be honest, though, not many of them deserve a start this evening.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey, Willock; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon
Stuart Jamieson
Nick Woltemade's potential absence isn't a huge blow for me - he had to be taken out of the firing line anyway. Dan Burn should have been rested against either Qarabag or Everton and looked jaded last Saturday. I almost felt sorry for the big defender, who has been excellent this season, as Beto outmuscled him far too often. Sven Botman must come in tonight.
If Jacob Ramsey is fit then he starts in a three man midfield, with Joelinton back in his usual position and not ineffective on the wing. Still can't get over that.
Harvey Barnes has to start on the left, with Anthony Gordon again through the middle. It's a toss up between Elanga and Jacob Murphy on the right flank, but at the minute, Murphy edges it. I'm not changing keeper - Pope might be struggling but the truth is there is no one beter.
That's a more balanced side, but Hall and Tonali apart, everyone has to lift their peformance levels.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton, J Murphy, Barnes, Gordon.
Pick your NUFC XI
So that's our teams - what about yours? Pick the Newcastle side you want to see start tonight here.
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