Steve Bruce will be without Callum Wilson through injury when Newcastle visit Manchester United, but Karl Darlow could return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies come out of the international break with a trip to Old Trafford to face the unbeaten Red Devils. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have taken two wins and a draw over their opening fixtures. While Newcastle are looking to claim their first win of the season.
Bruce oversaw a first point of the 2021/22 campaign last time out with a 2-2 draw at home to Southampton. Wilson led the Toon attack with Allan Saint-Maximin at St James’ Park, but suffered a thigh injury mid-game. The £46k-a-week star could miss a number of weeks.
In Wilson’s absence, Bruce will likely recall Dwight Gayle to the Newcastle starting line-up against Manchester United. The £10m arrival from Crystal Palace in 2016 is yet to feature in the Premier League this term, but will allow Saint-Maximin to occupy a natural wide role.
Bruce will also likely stick with a five-man defensive line to batten down the hatches at Old Trafford. He is yet to see the best from his crop of centre-halves during the opening three games of the season. So will want to see a positive response after two weeks to prepare.
Fabian Schar, particularly, will have some questions to answer after an error-strewn display during the Southampton stalemate last time out. An alternative option would be to select Isaac Hayden in the backline and retain Sean Longstaff in midfield.
Hayden missed the Saints clash after Bruce was forced to replace the midfielder at half-time against Aston Villa. He should, however, be in contention after returning to training before the international break. While Miguel Almiron is also available.
Bruce has goalkeeper decision in Newcastle line-up vs Manchester United
Bruce faces his biggest selection dilemma in goal after Darlow returned to training after suffering with coronavirus. The goalkeeper is now in contention to replace Freddie Woodman in the Newcastle line-up against Manchester United on Saturday.
“He’s trained the last week, ten days,” Bruce said on Friday, via NUFC.co.uk. “There’s been a big improvement in him, which we’re all delighted about. He’s put himself in contention – whether he’s ready to start, I’ll have to make that decision in the next 24 hours or so.”
Woodman has made some top saves since returning to Newcastle from his two seasons on loan with Swansea City. He has also been left horrendously exposed at stages of all three of the Toon’s Premier League fixtures this season.
Whoever starts on Saturday between Darlow and Woodman will expect much of the same. So, Bruce could veer for consistency and allow Darlow additional time to regain his fitness by retaining Woodman in the Newcastle line-up against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Newcastle predicted line-up vs Manchester United: Woodman (GK), Murphy, Fernandez, Lascelles, Schar, Ritchie, Almiron, Willock, Hayden, Saint-Maximin, Gayle
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