Rúben Amorim must get creative with his midfield as Manchester United host Newcastle at Old Trafford in a Boxing Day Premier League clash.
Rúben Amorim is preparing his players for their penultimate outing of the calendar year as Manchester United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Friday evening.
The match is the only Premier League fixture scheduled for Boxing Day this festive period due to league regulations, with the evening kick-off set to deliver a combative encounter.
Both sides have shown attacking promise this season while continuing to leak goals at the other end, a pattern that suggests an open and potentially high-scoring contest.
United begin the round in seventh place, but three points on Boxing Day could lift Amorim’s team into joint fourth, subject to results elsewhere, ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea’s matches later in the weekend.
Amorim has to get creative with his midfield
Senne Lammens will be starting in goal as always, but if Amorim is to play a 4-3-3 as he reportedly desires, he will have to get creative with his defence and midfield.
Assuming a 4-3-3 is preferred, the back four could be a little complicated. Leny Yoro has not had the best of times in the last few games, and with Ayden Heaven doing so well at the back, he may be partnered with Luke Shaw in central defence.
Newcastle have a fast, solid attacking line, so Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu could be preferred at left-back to match their pace, while Diogo Dalot is the obvious option on the right.
In midfield, if a trio is deployed, one non-negotiable is Casemiro, who is returning from suspension.
Lisandro Martínez was fantastic as a defensive midfielder and could partner the Brazilian in the midfield, especially after Manuel Ugarte’s terrible display last weekend.
Amid injuries to Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, a hard-working midfielder who could match Newcastle’s energy is Mason Mount, who could step into Fernandes’ role, linking defence and attack.
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Speaking of attack, due to the absence of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad at the Africa Cup of Nations, the only three first-team options available become Matheus Cunha on the left, Benjamin Šeško down the middle, leaving Joshua Zirkzee to start on the right.
United predicted XI vs Newcastle
Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Shaw, Dorgu, Casemiro, Martínez, Mount, Zirkzee, Šeško, Cunha.
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