If there was ever a good time to go to Old Trafford and come away with a decent result, then I have to say it’s this Saturday.
Some may say Manchester United are spiraling down England’s ‘top table’ pyramid. I might have to agree. Unrest with the players and supporters must be having a detrimental effect in the way Jose Mourinho processes tactics and player selection.
I don’t want to sound like a condescending git but, he wouldn’t be human if, at the back of his mind he’s dreading the media statement ‘boardroom vote of confidence’.
If West Ham, Brighton, and Tottenham Hotspur can do it so can we.
Predictable Pundit Predictions
“I watched Newcastle the other day against Leicester, and I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I’ve played at St James’ park plenty of times, and it was a hard place to play football. The players were up for it, the crowd were up for it, and it was a hard game. They had just one shot on target from 65 yards from Jonjo Shelvey.
“If Manchester United could hand pick any team to play this weekend it would be Newcastle. Forget Cardiff or Huddersfield it would be Newcastle because they can’t score a goal. They don’t even look like scoring a goal. On the flip side, if United don’t win this game, there’ll be major trouble at Old Trafford. Newcastle will go there for a 0-0, but United will eventually break them down.”
Predicts a 2-0 home win.
“The situation at Old Trafford is a strange one in many ways, and I can’t help feeling that the strained relationship we see in public between Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho and his players is only the tip of the iceberg.
“It is a problem that is not going to go away, either. At the start of September, United won three games – all away from home – but they were still just one defeat away from another crisis.
“Mourinho is not helping matter with what he is saying either. His message seems to be ‘it is not my fault’ but I’m sorry, he is the manager, and they carry the can.
“Ultimately, looking at the way his team is playing at the moment, you would have to seriously question his man-management style and say it does not work in the current climate at Old Trafford.”
Lawro continued…
“As far as this game goes, it is going to be about whether Manchester United can break Newcastle down.
“The Magpies have had a terrible start to the season and, however, their manager organises his players, I cannot see them really having much joy on the counter-attack.”
The BBC sports football pundit agrees with Paul Merson’s prediction.
I’m going to stick my neck out and say the Toon faithful will be, post-match talking about a famous 1-0 win all the way home.