Manchester United against Newcastle United was once considered one of the Premier League’s biggest games.
The Magpies and the Stars were frequent rivals in the top leagues during the 1990s and 2000s. These two teams had some great clashes.
But under Mike Ashley’s ownership, there was a rapid decline as the Toon went from being a club wanting to compete to one happy to survive.
That attitude led to two relegations and one top-five finish in Ashley’s 14-year ownership of the club.
The club was restructured in less than a year by a Saudi-backed consortium. Now, the Toon could surpass their rivals with a win at Sunday, Old Trafford.
This is a vast improvement on the last time that the Magpies visited Manchester’s red side.
Manchester United hosted Newcastle in September 2021 Cristiano Ronaldo, after 12 years of exile, returned to the club.
The Portuguese superstar scored twice in a 4-1 thrashing for Steve Bruce’s side.
It seemed that the Toon would have a long season, and a relegation battle looked almost certain.
At the end, Newcastle won comfortably. But, in just over a decade, it’s amazing to see the changes in the team, not only in personnel, but also in performance.
The manager Eddie Howe is abandoning the back five and the entire defense has been restructured.
Issachayden, Ciaran and Freddie Woodman are no longer with us. Woodman joined Preston North End permanent, while Hayden, Clark, and Sheffield United are respectively on loan.
Javier Manquillo actually scored in this game for Newcastle but hasn’t played for the Magpies since he started the 5-1 loss to Tottenham in April.
Jamaal Lascelles, who is still the club captain, now finds himself as the fourth-choice centre back. However, he still plays an important role in the dressing rooms.
And Matt Ritchie hasn’t started for the Magpies since he played 90 minutes against Manchester City in a 4-0 defeat in December.
Fabian Schar was actually on the bench that day against the Red Devils but has played in 30 of Howe’s 35 Premier League games as Newcastle boss.
The Swiss international is now a major player in the new system.
Kieran trippier starts at right back and the England international team is a class act.
The former Tottenham man is one of Newcastle’s best players and is a constant threat from set-pieces and crosses.
There is no league player who has had more set plays (11) and more passes into the opposing box (124) than any other.
Sven Botman Dan BurnWith Nick Pope in goal, partner Schar at the back.
Pope was one of the summer signings and has already made a series of top saves. Botman, on the other hand, has looked comfortable in the top flight, dominating Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ivan Toney and others.
Burn has also proven to be a smart signing. As a Toon fan from a young age, he must be living the dream.
While not many players have made any changes in the midfield or on the wings, their performances have.
Joelinton signed as a striker under Bruce. He scored six Premier League goals but looked lost.
Howe turned the Brazilian into an admirable box-to-box player who loves his new position.
Joelinton averages 2.3% tackles and 1.3% interceptions per game this season, but also records 1.4 key pass and completes 2.1 quick dribbles every match.
He is now a player.
Miguel Almiron has also achieved the same feat, with four goals in nine of his Premier League games.
Paraguayan failed to deliver any product for long periods of time. But, after that, they did deliver. Jack Grealish’s comments about him this yearHe took the initiative.
Almiron’s pace and work rate are perfect for Newcastle’s new approach, and he is the Toon’s top scorer this season, and that’s something no one on Tyneside was expecting to see at any point.
Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock are two players who have experienced ups and downs on Tyneside.
They are now putting in consistent performances.
Willock hasn’t scored for the Magpies since February, but his all-round displays have steadily improved.
He is now done. He completed 84 percent of his passes while under pressureThis season, the average number of key passes per game is 1.3
If he continues to play like this, the goals are certain to follow.
Willock, however, is back on the bench today due to illness.
Murphy has replaced Allan Saint-Maximin as a replacement and has provided a steady threat down the left.
The Frenchman is naturally a match-winner but he has also won many matches. A setbackIt is likely that he will miss the Old Trafford trip.
The former man from Norwich City will have the opportunity to impress again.
Bruno Guimaraes is the next. Since his arrival from Lyon, the Brazilian international has made it look effortless to play in the Premier League.
No Newcastle player has ever scored more league goals (7 since his arrival). He has accepted Tyneside and is a firm fan-favourite.
Many argue that he is the most important signing and will be a major role in the Toon’s win on Sunday.
Another important distinction is in the striking section.
Saint-Maximin was the sole striker last year. Callum Wilson will take the reins this time.
While the England international has had his issues with injuries, he still managed to score 23 goals in 49 Premier League appearances, five of which were in his last eight.
Record signing Alexander Isak won’t make this one, but once fit, Newcastle possess some serious firepower.
The Toon have only beat Man United at Old Trafford once over their last 37 visits.
You would have to agree that this is Newcastle’s best chance in a long while to win three points and continue their remarkable resurgence under Howe.
