I think we're going slightly over the top with the reaction to Manchester United's winning run under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They beat Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth. Yes, they played well in those games, and it's not their fault they faced sides of that level. They've got a spring back in their step, and arguably one of the best players in world on his day - Paul Pogba - is starting to look like that. The confidence comes back after that run, thinking they can beat anybody. I'll hold judgement until they play Tottenham on 13 January. Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will be slightly upset his side only managed a point against Watford. Rafa will set his team up to stop the visitors, but they win very few games at home. It's not in Benitez's DNA to 'have a go'. He'll want Solskjaer's side to find a way to try to unlock his team.
Newcastle United are only three points above the relegation zone and face both the Manchester clubs and Chelsea in their next four league games. They continue to look for a new owner and some signings to bolster their squad but neither seem to come along. United have only won one of their last six league games and that was against bottom of the table Huddersfield Town. They have failed to win any of their last three home league games and that includes a disappointing goalless draw with Fulham. The 4-1 win over Bournemouth was Manchester United's third win in a week under their interim manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. 12 goals have been scored in those games and Paul Pogba all of a sudden wants to play again scoring goals and making assists aplenty. As the commentator on Sunday said "I hope Jose Mourinho isn't watching." It has to be said that three games against Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth should produce lots of goals and points, it'll be interesting to see what happens when they play a decent team. That's not the case here and United can be backed to get another three points.
Newcastle have won 2 drawn 1 and lost 7 of their 10 league home games played, and sit 15th in the Premiership with 18 points drawing their last league game played 1-1 away against Watford. Man Utd have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their 10 league away games played, and sit 6th in the Premiership with 35 points, winning their last league game played 4-1 at home against Bournemouth. Man Utd have already beaten Newcastle 3-2 this season at home, however did lose this fixture 1-0 last season , winning at home 4-1. Newcastle are without a win in their last 3 league games played, drawing 0-0 against Fulham in their last home league games played. Man Utd have won their last 3 league games played on the bounce , beating Cardiff 1-5 in their last league away game played. I am taking Man Utd to win this match tonight.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will become just the second manager in the history of Manchester United – after Sir Matt Busby in 1946 – to win his first four games in charge of the club if his rejuvenated and energetic United side win at St James’s Park on Wednesday. The Magpies have lost seven of their ten home Premier League games so far this season but Rafa Benitez has won his last four home games against Manchester United with Premier League sides in all competitions – 2 x Liverpool, 1 x Chelsea and 1 x Newcastle. It promises to be an electric atmosphere at St James’s Park, but I expect the visitors to maintain their renaissance under Solksjaer and take all three points.
Looks like my Manchester United is back. Ole brought Sir Alex football to which I once fell in love. Usually I do not make such early predictions, but I think we will score points, because the schedule is very easy, and the coefficient may fall. Composition in full readiness, you need to make history and return to the top-4. We can do it!
I think we're going slightly over the top with the reaction to Manchester United's winning run under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They beat Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth. Yes, they played well in those games, and it's not their fault they faced sides of that level.
They've got a spring back in their step, and arguably one of the best players in world on his day - Paul Pogba - is starting to look like that. The confidence comes back after that run, thinking they can beat anybody. I'll hold judgement until they play Tottenham on 13 January.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will be slightly upset his side only managed a point against Watford. Rafa will set his team up to stop the visitors, but they win very few games at home.
It's not in Benitez's DNA to 'have a go'. He'll want Solskjaer's side to find a way to try to unlock his team.
Source: BBC