Manchester United predicted XI vs Newcastle as Erik ten Hag makes controversial decision

Manchester United will have a difficult task as they travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend in search of three points.

The Reds are coming off the back of a disappointing result in the Champions League as they drew to Galatasaray away from home after letting a two-goal lead slip.

However, their recent Premier League form is encouraging for Erik ten Hag, with five wins in their last six outings.

Ten Hag will be hoping for another positive result against The Magpies ahead of a crucial December period which includes seven league fixtures and the club’s final group game in the Champions League.

That also means that rotation will be important over this festive period, and there will be hope that several injured players can return during the month.

In terms of the team for the weekend’s clash, Ten Hag is set to make one change to his defensive lineup.

Despite Andre Onana’s mistakes midweek, he is expected to keep his place whilst the centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof remains.

Luke Shaw will continue starting after recently returning from injury, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will take over from Diogo Dalot on the right.

In the midfield, Ten Hag will reintroduce Kobbie Mainoo to the lineup after the youngster was benched against Galatasaray. He started in the last Premier League game against Everton and was excellent.

Mainoo will likely join both Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay, who seem to be mainstays in the lineup at the moment.

In the frontline, Alejandro Garnacho is guaranteed a start after two goals in his last two games, including a stunning overhead kick against Everton.

Alongside him will likely be Rasmus Hojlund, who returned from injury midweek, as well as Antony on the right.

Marcus Rashford could be controversially left on the bench despite being available again due to Antony’s impressive performance against Galatasaray.

Full Manchester United Predicted XI vs Newcastle

Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Mainoo, McTominay, B.Fernandes; Antony, Hojlund, Garnacho