Manchester United face Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sitting level on points, 25, with their opponents separated by goal difference.
Steve Bruce will relish the opportunity to leapfrog the club he formerly captained in the Premier League table, and the Magpies will pose a style of football the Red Devils have found challenging to break down this season. Much like their hosts Newcastle play a counter-attacking style and to combat the visitor’s deep defensive line, and to combat this, Solskjaer should star Mason Greenwood.
The 18-year-old, valued £18m (Transfermarkt), has been sensational this season since being afforded more regular first-team minutes. So far, he has four goals in five Europa League appearances and two Premier League goals in one start and 13 introductions from the bench. If he were to start down the middle against the Magpies with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford either side, that would signal the Norweigian manager’s attacking intent to prevent the Red Devils from dropping further away from the Champions League spots.
After defeat to Watford, something must change, and Daniel James is the player at risk of being replaced, as he was at the weekend when Greenwood was introduced in the place of the Welsh winger. James has failed to find the back of the net for Manchester United since the 31st of August, when he scored against Southampton, since then, he has gone 14 fixtures without scoring.
Meanwhile, in his last ten appearances for the Red Devils, Greenwood has five goals to his name. Solskjaer referred to Manchester United youngsters knocking on the manager’s door after their Europa League performances earlier this season and Greenwood is at the front of the queue.
With a hectic fixture list ahead, it would be wise to rest James who has had plenty of action this season, making 21 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions so far this season. With the Englishman in the form of his career so far he might be the ingredient the Red Devils require to overcome Newcastle United and prevent the Manchester side being leapfrogged in the Premier League table.
