Game Week 18 Predictions: United and Newcastle to settle for draw at Old Trafford

Manchester United must come to the party at Old Trafford on Friday if they don't want to lose their spot in the top ten. (Photo credit: ...

Manchester United must come to the party at Old Trafford on Friday if they don't want to lose their spot in the top ten. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Manchester United vs Newcastle

Old Trafford Stadium

9:00pm

Manchester United will take on Newcastle without Bruno Fernandes. You don’t hear that often, but after the Portuguese star picked up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa, he’s been ruled out for six weeks.

This game is bigger than the absence of Bruno Fernandes, but the Manchester United skipper will be sorely missed for a game that could well define where Manchester United ends up at the end of the year; they lose this, and their top-four ambition goes up in thick flames.

Newcastle have blown leads more than any other team this season. Their latest one, the 2-2 draw against Chelsea, shows where their problem lies; now they’re at Old Trafford, they cannot afford to blow their lead if they want to climb on the log.

Manchester United lies in 7th on the log. Looking up, United can push the narrative of being just four points off the top four, but they’re only four points above Tottenham, who currently lie in 14th on the log, so a loss at home against Newcastle could see United tumbling out of the top 10 altogether.

Manchester United’s season is one-dimensional, at least until they start playing the FA Cup, as they don’t participate in European games and have crashed out of the Carabao Cup since; games like this one against Newcastle are where they need to underline their quality.

The Red Devils lost at Aston Villa; they weren’t at the races at all, and now, they must dig deep to find answers for their midfield without their mercurial captain. Newcastle can look to exploit the lack of creativity that is expected in the absence of Fernandes; this makes this game a tricky one.

Who are the players to step up for United? It’s a tough time for United. Kobbie Mainoo is carrying a calf problem, so Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro are expected to play in midfield, flanked by Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu, while Mason Mount is expected to join Mattheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško up front.

For the visitors, Anthony Gordon had a fine game against the Blues; trust Eddie Howe to restore him up front to trouble the United defence. Nick Woltemade scored twice against Chelsea; can he do it against the Red Devils?

Both sides need this result to end the year on a high. Manchester United hosts Wolves in their final game of the year; a win here guarantees them back-to-back wins, as they’re expected to beat Wolves. Will Newcastle give them all something to cheer?

Verdict: Both teams to score.