Newcastle United is struggling to juggle all its competitions this season. Unpack their Champions League resilience and surprising Premier League slump ahead of the match.
Tomorrow evening, Manchester United return to action to face Newcastle United at St James' Park for game week 29 of the Premier League season.
If Michael Carrick's side win the game, he will become only the second manager in Premier League history, after Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, to take 26 points from his first 10 games in the league.
What can we expect from Newcastle
It's been a weird season for Newcastle. They currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League with 36 points - as close to Spurs in 16th points as they are to even a Europa League spot - yet they have done fairly well in other competitions.
Eddie Howe's side progresses to the round of 16 of the Champions League after beating Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate in the play-offs. They reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals and are in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
So, why are they having such an underwhelming season in the league? Many people in Newcastle circles have attributed this to playing twice a week. There is a recent precedent of the side having better seasons when they are not playing in the Champions League. Add two cup-runs to that equation, and things become complicated.
In terms of dangermen, left-back Lewis Hall was the standout performer on the pitch - for either side - in the reverse fixture back in December. He is someone who can invert into midfield but also overlap and get crosses in.
The team's best player, Bruno Guimaraes, is injured for this game, which is a huge boost for Carrick. In general, Jacob Ramsey has taken his place so far - he offers a bit more of a goal threat, but does not provide the same control nor defensive thrust of the Brazilian.
Fans will be familiar with Carrington graduate Anthony Elanga, but the Sweden international has seriously struggled up on Tyneside so far. In 38 appearances for the Magpies, he has scored just one goal and provided one assist.
Huge 6'6 striker Nick Woltemade had a good start to life in the North East, having joined from Stuttgart last summer, but has struggled more of late. Still, 11 goals and three assists in 2817 minutes is not absolutely terrible for a first season in England.
At the back, veteran Kieran Trippier has been filling in at right-back in the absence of Tino Livramento and his deputy Lewis Miley. The former England defender is clearly not physically up to it anymore. It's a huge shame Patrick Dorgu is injured, as his pace would have been really useful to target.
In the middle of defence, Malick Thiaw is having an excellent season, having joined from AC Milan in the summer. He is also a threat from set pieces, with five goals this season. United conceded to a central defender at a set piece on Sunday, so they will have to be more cautious this time around to avoid the same fate.
A huge game. Although he would not admit it in the media, it is a big game for Carrick personally, as a Geordie himself and a boyhood fan of Newcastle. Let's hope he marks his return home with a record-breaking victory.
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