Eddie Howe has to decide whether to change his starting line-up for tonight’s game at Old Trafford
10:38, 24 Dec 2025Updated 07:42, 26 Dec 2025
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope could return at the expense of Aaron Ramsdale(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Newcastle United can give their fans a belated Christmas present tonight by recording another famous win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies recorded an impressive victory at the famous stadium last term, and need to start collecting more Premier League points at a pivotal stage of the campaign.
The Newcastle head coach still has defensive injury issues to contend with and may have little choice but to stick with the same back four, which means Lewis Miley starting at right-back.
However, goalkeeper Nick Pope could return to the squad, while players such as Joelinton, Harvey Barnes, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock are all pressing for a place in the side.
The Magpies head to Burnley on January 30, with Howe mindful of gametime with plenty of games coming up. With that in mind, here are our Newcastle United starting XIs for tonight’s big match.
Lee Ryder
The big call for me is between the posts, with Nick Pope expected to be available for selection once again after a groin injury.
Aaron Ramsdale has had a good run in the side and done OK, but his appearances have not been without one or two setbacks and some uncertainty. A failure to line up his wall correctly against Chelsea was costly, and I expect Howe to act swiftly for the game at Old Trafford.
I just don’t see Howe dragging Pope around to sit on the bench. Elsewhere I think the time has come to restore Joelinton to the engine room.
Joelinton had a great game at Old Trafford last year and scored in the 2-0 win. The likes of Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley remain in the line-up after great efforts against the Blues.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Joelinton, Bruno, Tonali, Gordon, Murphy, Woltemade
Sean McCormick
Newcastle’s six day break will feel like a mini holiday in the context of their season.
The Magpies’ schedule has relentlessly featured two games per week this season so Eddie Howe would have been grateful to get some time on the training ground with his players ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Manchester.
It has also allowed some time for recovery and there is hope that goalkeeper Nick Pope and midfielder Joelinton could be fit to feature against Ruben Amorim’s side.
Aaron Ramsdale has deputised in goal over the last month in the midst of Pope’s injury but has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the seven matches in that time.
His save percentage in the Premier League is at 43% compared to Pope’s 75% and while Pope had made some errors prior to his injury, Newcastle need the goalkeeper who is less likely to concede a goal between the sticks and that is Pope.
Jacob Ramsey started the last two matches in midfield but while he did well he hasn’t shown enough to displace Joelinton in United’s starting midfield when he is fully fit.
The rest of the team played well in the draw with Chelsea and should retain their place in the side for the trip to Old Trafford.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon; Woltemade
Stuart Jamieson
There was not a lot wrong with Newcastle’s first-half performance against Chelsea last weekend, so I don’t see the need to make any changes to that starting XI.
The back line picks itself anyway, and unless they’re 100 per cent sure on Nick Pope, I’ll stick with Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Joelinton is pushing for a recall, but I would like to see Jacob Ramsey given another chance, especially with attacking areas to exploit at Old Trafford.
Yoane Wissa has to wait for his first Premier League start, but Newcastle cannot afford to leave Nick Woltemade isolated as happens so often away from home.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey, J Murphy, Gordon, Woltemade.
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