Ten Hag Hints At Lisandro Martinez's Return For Crucial Manchester United Vs. Newcastle Clash
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Lisandro Martinez could make his first appearance for Manchester United since March when they host Newcastle United on Wednesday. The Argentina international, who has been sidelined with a calf injury, has made just 11 appearances this season. His last outing was in the draw against Brentford six weeks ago.
However, the match comes too soon for fellow defender Raphael Varane. The Frenchman announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, but Ten Hag hopes Varane can feature again before his departure. "I think [Martinez] will return against Newcastle," Ten Hag said. "He had some training sessions and, if everything is okay, he will be involved."
Ten Hag also commented on Varane's situation: "We are definitely planning for [Varane to play] the last games. Not tomorrow, but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25."
With two games remaining, Manchester United are in eighth place, three points behind Newcastle in sixth. The Magpies have a significantly better goal difference. Ten Hag emphasised the importance of achieving a positive result to keep their European qualification hopes alive. "It's a very important game," he said. "We have to do everything to get the win; we have to fight hard for it."
Meanwhile, Newcastle aim to secure European football for a second successive season with a win at Old Trafford. Eddie Howe revealed that the fitness of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson is still uncertain but stressed the importance of preparation. "It is a massive fixture," Howe said. "We must make sure our players go to Manchester United in really good spirits, confident and prepared."
Manchester United - Bruno Fernandes: In Fernandes' absence, Manchester United have lost both of their last two Premier League games. Since his debut, they have won 40% of their league games and averaged 1.3 points per game when he has not started; compared to a 53% win rate and 1.8 points per game when he has been in their starting XI.
Newcastle United - Sean Longstaff: Following his goal against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, Longstaff has scored in successive Premier League appearances for the first time. Sixty per cent of his goals in the competition have come this season (six out of ten). Newcastle have never lost a Premier League match in which Longstaff has found the net (winning six, drawing three).
Match Prediction: Draw
Manchester United have lost just one of their 28 Premier League home games against Newcastle (winning 18, drawing nine), with that defeat coming in December 2013. The Red Devils have only lost their final home league game once in the last 16 seasons (winning 11, drawing four), suffering a 2-0 defeat against Cardiff City in 2018-19.
The team is also unbeaten in their last 14 midweek home games in the Premier League (winning 11, drawing three). Liverpool were the last visiting side to win at Old Trafford midweek with a 4-2 victory in May 2021.
Newcastle aim to become the first team to beat Manchester United three times in a single season since Chelsea did so in 2012-13. Eddie Howe has never won a Premier League match away in Manchester against either United or City in 14 attempts (drawing two, losing 12). Only Steve Bruce has managed more away games in Manchester without success (26).
OPTA Win Probability
| Team | Win Probability |
|---|---|
| Manchester United | 42.9% |
| Newcastle United | 29.3% |
| Draw | 27.8% |
Matchday minus one! pic.twitter.com/EVcD8KbAvW
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 14, 2024
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