Toon looking for some festive cheer
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has decided to ring the changes for tonight’s clash with Manchester United, making no less than six changes from the side that lost 4-0 to Manchester City last time out.
Ciaran Clark is out of the squad, along with Ritchie, Willock and Hayden. Almiron and Murphy drop to the bench. The return of Allan Saint-Maximin to the starting eleven will be a welcome sight for the home fans and he is joined by Manquillo, Schar, Krafth, Shelvey and Sean Longstaff.
Newcastle have lost three in a row while Manchester United have won their last three in the Premier League and are looking rejuvenated under new manager Ralf Rangnick.
While Newcastle’s Premier League destiny may not be decided by matches against teams at the top end of the Premier League, every game has to represent an opportunity to pick up much needed points. The Magpies remain only 3 points behind 4th-bottom Watford but worryingly they have played more games than all of the teams around them in the table. After tonight the Toon will be the only team in the bottom half to have played 19 games while the clubs directly above them, Burnley and Watford have only played 15 and 16 times respectively.