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Newcastle United: Yoshinori Muto deserves to start against Brighton

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Yoshinori Muto of Newcastle United runs with the ball away from Ben Chilwell of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on September 29, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Yoshinori Muto of Newcastle United runs with the ball away from Ben Chilwell of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on September 29, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Yoshinori Muto was in top form against Manchester United and Rafa Benitez should start the Japanese striker this weekend.

Supporters of Newcastle United are impatiently waiting to see their Magpies in action this weekend for what is considered to be a winnable match against Brighton at St. James’ Park. Despite losing six of their first eight matches, Newcastle have every right to be confident on Saturday due to their brilliant offensive performance against Manchester United.

A major contributor to the offensive efficiency against the Red Devils was Yoshinori Muto. The Japanese international striker was stellar in his first start for Newcastle and his ability to score an impressive goal in a hostile environment on the road bodes well for the Magpies.

Benitez Should Start Muto Again

Newcastle have spent the international break preparing for Brighton and the match against the Seagulls presents Muto with another chance to score a goal. Muto navigated through Manchester United’s quality back-line with ease at Old Trafford and he would surely have a much easier time replicating those movements against a mediocre Brighton side.

Eight matches into the season, Brighton have a performance record of two victories, two draws and four losses. Brighton have conceded 13 goals this season and teams like Southampton and Fulham have both scored multiple goals against them. With the support from Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie in midfield, Muto should be primed for a big game.

The Japanese frontman failed to showcase his skills as a late substitute in previous matches, but he showed that he can get into the right positions to create scoring opportunities for himself and others. In addition to weaving around two defenders to score, Muto also came within inches of scoring a second goal in the first half.

Next. Rondon must perform for Newcastle. dark

Muto is not known as a prolific striker and one performance against a top club does not make him a start player overnight. However, his performance against Manchester United generates new confidence and that is a key attribute that Newcastle need on their front-line at the moment. Muto is hungry for more goals and Rafa Benitez should fuel that energy by starting him on Saturday.