Bruno Guimaraes identifies key Newcastle advantage over Manchester United

Bruno Guimaraes insists the extra day's rest from midweek Champions League football will give Newcastle United an advantage over Manchester United this evening.

United head to St James' Park for a late Saturday night kick-off against the Magpies, looking to build on an excellent run of five wins in six Premier League matches. Erik ten Hag's side were due to fly up to Newcastle on Saturday morning but their journey was cancelled, forcing them to take a three-hour coach journey.

Both sides had midweek European football, with Newcastle drawing at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday and United throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Galatasaray on Wednesday. Tonight's home side have therefore enjoyed an extra 24 hours to recover and Guimaraes believes that could help them.

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“At the moment we are a little bit short in our team,” Guimaraes told NUFC TV. “We have to play with what we have so we have to keep up a good performance as we have been doing since Chelsea [a 4-1 win at the end of November].

"It is going to be a very good game. The good part for us is that we played one day before Manchester United so in the game we'll be fine. Everyone is young. We will be good.”

Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that he does not expect any of his injured players to return for the game, which means he could be without up to 11 first-team stars.Ten Hag, meanwhile, welcomed Mason Mount back into training this week but the midfielder was not included in the travelling squad.