Newcastle Aim for Europe as Struggling Manchester United Seek Redemption
Newcastle United continue their push for a Champions League spot on Monday as they travel to face a struggling Manchester United in a clash between two teams on vastly different trajectories in the Premier League table.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle has been in red-hot form, climbing to fifth place following a dominant 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day. They are unbeaten in five of their last six matches, with a staggering 11-0 combined scoreline across wins against Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Villa.
"We're shooting for whatever we can shoot for," Howe said, addressing their Champions League aspirations. "We take it game by game, but I’m heartened by the way the team is playing. We're winning strongly, not by luck, and our performances have improved both defensively and offensively."
In contrast, Manchester United finds themselves languishing in 14th place, a position closer to relegation than to the top four. The Red Devils have lost four of their last five matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday.
Off-field controversies have further hampered United’s season. Manager Ruben Amorim has controversially excluded striker Marcus Rashford from the squad for the last four matches, a decision he stands firmly behind. "We have to remain the same professionals, win or lose," Amorim stated. "I’ll continue with my philosophy to the end."
United will also be without Bruno Fernandes, who received a red card in their previous match, and Manuel Ugarte, suspended after accumulating five yellow cards.
Elsewhere, Liverpool will look to extend their lead at the top of the table when they face 13th-placed West Ham United on Saturday. Manager Arne Slot cautioned against early celebrations despite Liverpool’s impressive form. "The table looks good, but it’s too soon to celebrate. There are still 21 games to play," Slot remarked.
Meanwhile, second-placed Chelsea will seek to bounce back after a surprise 2-1 loss to Fulham ended their nine-game unbeaten run. Manager Enzo Maresca emphasized resilience ahead of their match against Ipswich Town. "It’s about how we respond. You need to go again no matter the result," he said.
As Newcastle ascends and Manchester United battles internal and external challenges, the stakes are high for both teams, making Monday’s clash pivotal in shaping their respective seasons.
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