Newcastle v Man United: Line-ups, stats and preview

Newcastle v Man United match preview

In a week when a fifth spot in next season’s Champions League was confirmed for English clubs, fifth-placed Newcastle can keep themselves in position to profit by securing a fifth consecutive win in all competitions at home to a Manchester United side eight places and 15 points below them.

The Magpies have made light of suspicions that their EFL Cup final win would prove a distraction, following up a 2-1 home win over Brentford with a 3-0 away thrashing of Leicester City on Monday, when Jacob Murphy struck twice inside the opening 11 minutes.

“In some senses, the cup final came at a good time,” says Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall. “We went into the [March] international break, having that period to enjoy that moment.

“We’ve [since] delivered two good performances – not our best, but the most important thing was getting the results. The lads deserve a lot of credit.”

Getting set for Sunday. 👊 pic.twitter.com/G2mxffEJDt

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 11, 2025

United’s Ruben Amorim has been the manager answering questions about whether his players will have other matters on their minds, with a Europa League quarter-final second leg at home to Lyon looming on Thursday (20:00 BST).

The 20-time English champions have little left to play for in the league and will start their return match with the French side level, having taken the lead in Lyon through Joshua Zirkzee’s 88th-minute header before Rayan Cherki scored with the final kick of the 2-2 draw, capitalising on Andre Onana’s error.

Amorim said his dressing room “felt really quiet” after the last-gasp setback. “The team is suffering, but we need to change that and we have the opportunity to change,” he added.

“Let’s focus on that. We are improving, we are being consistent. I think that is clear for everybody, but then we need to win.”

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Newcastle v Manchester United team news

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon did not return from a three-match suspension against Leicester because of an injury the winger sustained while playing for England last month.

“He’s had a decent week with the physios,” said Tindall, adding that Gordon trained on grass on Thursday. “We’ll assess him again [on Friday] to see how he’s responded to that. Then we’ll have to make a late call on whether he’s available.”

Tino Livramento will continue to deputise for Lewis Hall after the left-back had surgery on a foot injury, and captain Jamaal Lascelles may not return this season after a knee operation.

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo came on as a substitute for the Red Devils against Lyon, playing for the first time since February 7.

Injury-troubled full-back Luke Shaw was an unused substitute for a second successive game but Matthijs de Ligt is injured, fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez is out for the season and defenders Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans are unlikely to feature.

Striker Chido Obi returns to contention after being ineligible in Europe, and Amorim could be swayed to rotate his side by the decider against Lyon.

The Portuguese has a decision to make in goal after Onana made mistakes for both of Lyon’s goals, with Altay Bayindir potentially replacing the Cameroon international.

“When the time comes, I will choose the best 11 to play,” Amorim replied when he was repeatedly asked about Onana. “I’m really confident in Andre.”