Newcastle United have been struggling with consistency and effort lately. Steve Bruce would be wise to make four key changes to the lineup this weekend to resolve this issue.
Based on current circumstances, this Sunday’s game against Manchester United is the most important game at this stage of the season for Newcastle United. The Magpies failed to claim three points against Brighton at home two weeks ago and they were embarrassed by Leicester City over the weekend. Back-to-back awful performances only add more pressure for this weekend’s clash.
Manchester United are also struggling in terms of fulfilling their top four objectives, but they are still coming to town as heavy favorites. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sitting in the hot seat, we can expect the Red Devils to come out and play with urgency in order to claim three points. That being said, Steve Bruce needs to deploy a lineup that consists of his most motivated players.
Four Players Who Must Start
Allan Saint-Maximin
- Allan Saint-Maximin is one the most motivated players in the squad. He knows the club spent large sums of money (20m) to bring him in and he is eager to play regular minutes after a hamstring injury kept him out earlier in the season. Motivation aside, Saint-Maximin is the most dynamic player in Steve Bruce’s possession. The French winger can do almost everything offensively, so it’s time the Magpies start utilizing him from the opening whistle.
Jetro Willems
- Jetro Willems has the most to prove of any midfielder because his aim is to earn a permanent deal with Newcastle United. The loanee has been impressive in the few games he’s played in and he’s definitely worthy of being a starter. He is aggressive off the ball, fast with the ball and isn’t afraid to take chances like the one he took against Liverpool. Willems is a must start in my eyes.
Javier Manquillo
- Javier Manquillo is in better physical shape than DeAndre Yedlin at the moment and he is in much better form than Emil Krafth. Starting Manquillo on Sunday is the most obvious choice I can write about in this article. Manquillo has the pace to keep up with most wingers and strikers in the league, he knows when to make overlapping runs and his crossing ability has improved since last season. Come on, Bruce, start Manquillo this Sunday.
Federico Fernandez
- Fabian Schar and Paul Dummett have been playing well this season, but the same cannot be said about Jamaal Lascelles. Federico Fernandez is an experienced and reliable defender who hardly made mistakes under Rafa Benitez. Lascelles may be the captain, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be dropped. A trio of Schar, Fernandez and Dummett would be confrontational and their energy can set the tone for the rest of the players on the pitch.