Manchester United could do something they have not done in nine years vs Newcastle

Manchester United cannot drop lower than 14th tonight but this week is bookended by two ominious-looking fixtures against teams in the top five.

Newcastle lost on their last visit to Old Trafford but also inflicted a 3-0 defeat on United in the League Cup last term. Eddie Howe's side have plundered 14 goals in their last four Premier League matches. That is two-thirds as many as United have managed in 18 games.

The conclusion of tonight's meeting marks the halfway point of the league season for United. There is a danger their domestic campaign could effectively end in January if their defence of the FA Cup ends after 90 minutes at Arsenal.

As for tonight, here are five things to look out for:

Thin on the ground?

United assembled a sensibly-sized squad of 28 players at the start of the season but it started shrinking as soon as the Community Shield teamsheet was printed. Harry Amass, added to the first team squad in August, has barely participated in first team training, while Ethan Wheatley and Toby Collyer have hardly had a kick.

Factor in the three goalkeepers in the 28-man pool and suddenly United look shallow. Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are in the medical department so often they might as well have their own wards and Marcus Rashford is persona non grata on matchdays. Tonight, two more players are suspended and the alternative to Manuel Ugarte is Casemiro, a player in decline for 18 months and whom United looked to offload in the summer.

As the only other number six, Casemiro has to start against compatriots Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. That is unlikely to fill United fans with confidence.

Gumption from Garnacho?

Alejandro Garnacho’s performances off the bench in the past three matches have not merited a recall