Manchester United can consolidate their spot in the top-four with a victory at Newcastle this evening
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Manchester United are looking to remain unbeaten since Michael Carrick's return to Old Trafford
Manchester United are looking to remain unbeaten since Michael Carrick's return to Old Trafford(Image: Pick the Team/Getty Images)
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Manchester United travel to Newcastle tonight eager to continue Michael Carrick's unbeaten return to Old Trafford. The Reds were 2-1 winners over Crystal Palace on Sunday thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and Benjamin Sesko header cancelling out Maxence Lacroix's opener. Only a draw at West Ham has blotted Carrick's record so far.
If the Reds are to be victorious again, they may have to do it without Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. The duo were both replaced in the victory over Palace due to illness. Shaw lasted just 24 minutes while Maguire was replaced in the closing stages.
They join Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount as doubts for tonight. Matthijs de Ligt is behind Mount in his recovery from a back complaint while Patrick Dorgu remains a long-term absentee for the Reds.
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With this in mind, MEN Sport has asked its United writers to pick their team for tonight's game.
Tyrone Marshall
The question marks here are over the fitness of Maguire and Shaw. Both were unwell and had to come off on Sunday and if they are over that issue, then I think they both start. Maguire is the most experienced central defender and I'm not sure Carrick will want the youth of Heaven and Yoro at St James' Park, while Shaw offers some left-footed balance down that flank.
Other than that, I think the team picks itself again. The one dilemma I had was whether to bring Amad back in, and I actually considered picking him instead of Cunha. If Shaw isn't fit and Mazraoui plays, I might well do that. Amad looked bright off the bench on Sunday and could bring some width, with Cunha desperate to come inside from the left.
Casemiro will be asked to keep up his heavy workload recently but he is a better player than Ugarte, so he has to keep going and his role will be vital in that midfield battle tonight.
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Jack Flintham
Carrick's conundrum is whether or not to risk Maguire and Shaw. Both have been good servants for him since his return but if they are not 100 per cent, they cannot start at Newcastle.
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Mazraoui is the obvious replacement for Shaw while it would be a good chance for Heaven to position himself in Carrick's plans. Otherwise, the team largely picks itself.
Amad will be desperate to return to the starting line-up but it is impossible to drop either Mbeumo or Sesko at the minute. Cunha will continue to benefit from no other options on the left, albeit his performances in Dorgu's absence have been good.
Jack Flintham's Manchester United XI to take on Newcastle
Jack Flintham's Manchester United XI to take on Newcastle
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