At least five Manchester United players could say goodbye during the Newcastle game

Can United end their Newcastle League run?

The last time Manchester United beat Newcastle in the Premier League was the second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo. It was also the last time Steve Bruce managed Newcastle against his old club.

Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle are unbeaten in four league games against United, winning two and drawing two. They also humiliated United in the fourth round of the League Cup at Old Trafford in November.

United won the biggest game of last year’s League Cup final, but the clubs have gone in the opposite direction in recent weeks. Newcastle were in tenth place and six points behind United when the season resumed after the internationals in March. Tonight, Newcastle could ensure they finish above United for the first time since 1977.

Amrabat to keep the momentum going?

The match was all but over when Sofyan Amrabat replaced Casemiro at half-time against Newcastle in the League Cup six months ago. The weekend defeat to Arsenal marked Amrabat’s first league start since December 17 and was also his best performance for United.

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Whatever the defensive options tonight, Amrabat deserves to keep his place ahead of journeyman Casemiro. If the Moroccan builds on his weekend performance then he must be considered for an FA Cup final start.

Fernandes to have an effect?

If this is to be Bruno Fernandes’ last season with United, it could end as it began. He could become the third United player to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for a third time, and United looked without their captain absent for both games last week.

These were the first two club games Fernandes has ever missed through injury, but he was assessed yesterday ahead of a possible return tonight. The cameras will be on him for any sign of goodbye.

Raphael Varane will not play, but could reappear for removal. Jonny Evans is a sure-fire starter and it remains to be seen whether this is his last game for United at Old Trafford, almost 17 years after his first. Anthony Martial could emerge and Tom Heaton is out of contract next month.

Advertisement for the final places of the Cup

There are six certainties to start the FA Cup final: Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund. The rest depends on fitness and/or form.

Ten Hag stressed last week that he would not “play” with players’ fitness, having done so with Luke Shaw in February and Lisandro Martinez in March. Martinez needs minutes this week and ideally another centre-back would get at least 45 minutes in the games against Newcastle and Brighton.

Terrible ten?

Lose tonight and United will have lost ten times at home in a season for the first time in the club’s history. They have already lost as many games at Old Trafford as they did when they were relegated in 1973-74.

United have had tremendous support of late and the supporters are owed a proper performance. These days, it must be emphasized that it extends to victory. Erik ten Hag satisfactorily noted that the players provided a “response” to Crystal Palace’s disaster against Arsenal. A game that United lost quite comfortably.