United Beyond Manchester

Three games. Eleven days. That is all that is left in the tumultuous 2023-2024 season. Manchester United face Newcastle United and Brighton to finish the Premier League season before heading back to Wembley for the Manchester Derby. The question now is whether the Reds will win any of those three matches.

Historical Highlight

In January 2008, Manchester United faced Newcastle United at Old Trafford. A goalless first half turned ugly, as United put six past Shay Given in the second 45 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo got the party started with a free kick that snuck under the wall to give the Reds a 1-0 lead just after half. Ronaldo found the net twice more for his first hat trick for Manchester United. Carlos Tevez scored United’s second and sixth goals, and Rio Ferdinand even added one.

More of the same today?

Current Form

Manchester United are crawling to the finish line. The Reds have won just two Premier League games in the past two and a half months. United’s only goal in the past three matches was a late leveler from Antony against now-relegated Burnley. Erik Ten Hag’s team is completely out of form, and with the FA Cup Final looming, confidence will be at an all-time low.

Newcastle United beat Sheffield United and Burnley by a combined score of 9-2 before being held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton. They will be looking to hold on to their Europa League hopes by beating Manchester United and Tottenham to end the season.

Team News

Bruno Fernandes is questionable again for Wednesday’s match, and we won’t know whether he will play until the team sheets come out. Marcus Rashford may also make his return against Newcastle.

Willy Kambwala returned to action against Arsenal as a sub.

Luke Shaw is making progress to be ready by the FA Cup Final but is unlikely to feature until then. Mason Mount has fresh injury concerns and will also be out.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane have not returned to training and are doubts to feature again this season.

The away side will be without Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley, Matt Targett, and Joe Willock. The striker position could be one to watch as both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson could be out due to injury and illness.

Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot
Midfielders: Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes
Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo

Match Prediction

Manchester United will win 2-1. United have lost far too many games at Old Trafford, and today, we return to the win column. Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot will find the net for the Reds, as the losing streak will end.

One Bold Prediction

Anyone can still play in the upcoming Final. What I mean is, if a player who is not a part of the perceived “Best XI” comes out and plays well these last two games, they may find themselves in an important role in the FA Cup Final. When your top players repeatedly underperform, you have to look elsewhere. Be on the lookout for players looking to find their way into the eleven for the Final.

Drop your score predictions and lineups in the comments!