Newcastle vs Manchester United Preview

• Draw or Newcastle win
• Both teams to score

Newcastle United have shown no signs of letting up following their long-awaited EFL Cup triumph, building on that success with back-to-back wins in the Premier League. Their most recent victory — a commanding 3-0 home win over Leicester City on Monday night — showcased just how far Eddie Howe’s men have come since their own spell of inconsistency earlier in the campaign.

With four consecutive wins in all competitions under their belts, the Magpies are now firmly entrenched in the race for a top-five finish. That spot, recently confirmed to offer UEFA Champions League qualification thanks to the Premier League’s coefficient boost, is now very much within reach. The ambition at St James’ Park is clear: to return to Europe’s top table for the second successive season, a feat which would further underline their impressive progress under Howe’s stewardship.

The visit of Manchester United offers a prime opportunity for Newcastle to make another statement. After winning the reverse fixture 2-0 at Old Trafford back in December, they now stand on the verge of a first league double over the Red Devils since the 1930/31 season. Interestingly, that December triumph was also the eighth successive meeting between the sides that saw Newcastle win while keeping a clean sheet — a remarkable statistic considering the attacking talent traditionally boasted by their opponents.

Shutting out Manchester United appears to be the Magpies’ best hope again here. Not since a thrilling 4-3 win in September 2001 have Newcastle managed to beat United in a Premier League fixture in which both teams scored. Since then, the pattern has been clear: if United score, they rarely lose this fixture — a run of five draws and 29 defeats for Newcastle in such games illustrates the magnitude of that challenge.

While Newcastle enter the clash in fine fettle, Manchester United are once again mired in inconsistency. Thursday night’s 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final epitomised their season — flashes of quality undermined by individual errors. On this occasion, it was goalkeeper André Onana who was under the spotlight, as a pair of mistakes gifted the French side a route back into the tie after United had twice led.

United’s form across all competitions leaves much to be desired, with only one win from their last four matches (D2, L1) in 90 minutes. Manager Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly be tempted to rotate with the second leg against Lyon looming large, but he’ll be wary of compounding United’s recent woes with another defeat — especially in a fixture that has become increasingly difficult for them in recent years.

The Red Devils have lost four of the last five meetings with Newcastle across all competitions, as many as they had suffered in the previous 41 encounters combined (W28, D9, L4). That shift is telling and a sign of how the balance of power has slowly started to even out between these two historically divergent clubs. Newcastle are no longer simply plucky underdogs — they are now a well-drilled side capable of dominating elite opposition on their day.

Key players to watch

Defensive resilience will be key for both sides. For Newcastle, Kieran Trippier is likely to be significant. A boyhood Manchester United fan, Trippier has played a starring role in recent St James’ Park victories over the Red Devils, registering assists in each of the last two home league H2Hs.

His delivery from wide areas, combined with the Magpies’ aerial threat, could prove a potent weapon once more.

United, meanwhile, might look to Joshua Zirkzee for inspiration. The Dutch forward has enjoyed something of a breakout season and could be in line for a recall after being benched in the Europa League.

Three of his last four goals have come on the road, all arriving after the break — a reminder that he remains a valuable option in tight games, especially when defences begin to tire.

Key Stats

• Newcastle are unbeaten in their last three Premier League home matches against Manchester United (W2, D1).
• The Magpies have kept clean sheets in their last eight wins over United in all competitions.
• Manchester United have won just one of their last five games in 90 minutes across all competitions.
• Newcastle’s last five competitive matches have all ended in victory, scoring 14 goals in that time.
• United’s last three defeats at St James’ Park came across the 1969-70 period — a run they’ll be desperate to avoid repeating.

Prediction

With form on their side and St James’ Park roaring once again, Newcastle appear well-equipped to extend their recent dominance over Manchester United. The Red Devils’ priorities clearly lie in Europe, and if Amorim opts to rest key players ahead of the second leg against Lyon, it could further tilt the balance in Newcastle’s favour.

While United have a few threats who can change a game in an instant, their recent form, coupled with defensive vulnerabilities, suggests this could be another long afternoon on Tyneside. Newcastle, on the other hand, look like a side with a clear objective and momentum — two ingredients that could prove decisive.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United

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Newcastle v Man Utd, 2024/25 | Premier League