Premier League: Newcastle v Manchester United odds, form, team news & verdict

The Big Match: Newcastle v Manchester United odds, form, team news & verdict for Sunday's Premier League showdown.

Premier League: Newcastle United v Manchester United

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 4.30pm Sunday

Match odds

38-11 Newcastle
10-11 Manchester United
5-2 Draw

Form

Those of a squeamish nature may not want to check out this potential 90-minute horror show as Newcastle and Manchester United try to turn around their wretched starts to the campaign.

Neither United is showing much of a united front and for whoever loses the defeat would come at a terrible time heading into the international break.

Let's not forget the first Premier League managerial change occurred during the September sabbatical, so Steve Bruce and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be up against it unless the tide turns on Tyneside.

The men from Manchester are enduring their worst start to a season in 30 years with nine points from their opening seven matches, while Newcastle are in the bottom three following a five-point haul.

Steve Bruce said last week's abject 5-0 loss at Leicester with ten men was "a complete surrender" and reacted by cancelling a training session on Monday. That'll teach the players!

Team news

Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle have returned to training but lack match fitness. Jetro Willems should be available, while Matt Ritchie is doubtful and Florian Lejeune and Isaac Hayden are sidelined.

Paul Pogba requires rest for a foot injury and Anthony Martial is unlikely to return. Luke Shaw could be back and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is being assessed after tonsillitis.

The tactical battle

Rumours persist that Newcastle's players are confused as to what is being asked of them by Bruce, who said prior to the Leicester mauling that he wanted to "slowly change" the style of play from predecessor Rafael Benitez's counter-attacking plans.

Newcastle switched from five at the back to 4-2-3-1 at Leicester but Joelinton was isolated and they did not look like forcing a shot on target with 11 men, never mind after Hayden's dismissal just before the half-time interval.

There has been no obvious pattern of play for the visitors either. This game could just come down to a moment of individual quality.

Verdict

It would be difficult to make a case for Manchester United at odds-on on their travels against most Premier League opponents, but Newcastle may be the worst side in the division. Away win 1-0.

Key stats

• Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has lost 17 and drawn five of his 22 matches as a manager against the Red Devils
• Newcastle have had the fewest shots (64) in this season's Premier League
• Man Utd have scored more than once in just one of their last ten Premier League matches
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have lost five and drawn three of their last eight domestic away fixtures.

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