Manchester United end a miserable first half of the 2024/25 campaign on Monday night when they face Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
United could have captured the FA Cup in May, but 2024 is certainly a year the club wants to forget.
A run of three losses means the Red Devils are out of the Carabao Cup and remain in the bottom half of the Premier League table. All in all, things are bleak for Ruben Amorim at the start of his tenure and there are few signs of respite.
Free-scoring Newcastle are up next for the Red Devils, and here’s the team Amorim could pick to face the Magpies in their final outing of the calendar year.
GK: Andre Onana – Onana had been enjoying a fairly quiet 2024, but a couple of high-profile mistakes have suddenly boosted his long-term United. future in doubt. The club does not have anyone in the reserve capable of competing with the current number one.
CB: Leny Yoro – Yoro has eased into his debut campaign after recovering from a broken foot, and there have certainly been some positive signs amid United’s woes.
CB: Harry Maguire – Maguire has been preferred to Matthijs de Ligt at the heart of United’s backline, and that is unlikely to change for the visit of Newcastle. The Englishman will see plenty of the red-hot Alexander Isak.
CB: Lisandro MartÃnez – The Argentine suits this role very well on paper, but Martinez has so far struggled in his second season at Old Trafford. Still, there’s no one coming for him.
RWB: Noussair Mazraoui – Mazraoui has been a bright spark this term, but there are valid concerns about his suitability as a wing-back.
CM: Casemiro – The veteran midfielder hasn’t played much since being appointed Amorim, but the Portuguese coach will likely turn to Casemiro Monday with Manuel Ugarte suspended.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – It has been a quiet spell for Mainoo, who has an exclusive profile of the club’s current midfield options. He’s a key figure in the engine room, although the youngster hasn’t stood out as much compared to when he burst onto the scene.
LWB: Diogo Dalot – The Red Devils need an overhaul, but this is surely a position Amorim will look to improve at the first available opportunity. The right-handed Dalot has been very outstanding for the new coach.
A.M.: Amad Diallo – Some would argue that Amad would be better off in a full-back role, but Amorim has used the Ivorian in his front three since banishing Marcus Rashford.
AM: Joshua Zirkzee – with Bruno Fernandes suspended, Zirkzee could be used as a facilitator between lanes. The Dutchman could be a good fit for this role given his skills.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – Amorim has quickly realized that Hojlund is no Viktor Gyokeres, but he doesn’t have much of a choice but to stick with the young Dane, especially if he uses Zirkzee a bit more. The 21-year-old only has two Premier League goals in his name this term.
