FIFA 20 simulation: Newcastle United 1, Manchester United 0

Newcastle United edged out an upset win at home over Manchester United in our FIFA 20 simulation.

Ahead of the real-life fixture between Newcastle United and Manchester United today, we allowed FIFA 20 to give us a preview via simulation at the virtual St. James’ Park.

While Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial will be out for Manchester United, we came up with this lineup for Newcastle United around their own injuries and suspension of Isaac Hayden: Dubravka, Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Willems, Saint-Maximin, Ki, S. Longstaff, Almiron, and Joelinton. On the bench, there was Muto, Atsu, Manquillo, Carroll, Fernandez, Krafth, and Darlow.

During one of the first spells of possession for Newcastle, Allan Saint-Maximin made a quick turn around a Man. United defender and blazed down the right-wing. He sent a cross in towards Joelinton, but the defense cleared it out for a corner as they clattered into the striker. On the ensuing corner, Miguel Almiron found an unmarked Fabian Schar, who headed the ball home for a 7th-minute goal for the Magpies.

Around the 30th minute, Saint-Maximin fired a long ball over the top that found Almiron on the break. But, the Paraguayan couldn’t find Joelinton with the final pass. Throughout the first half, Miggy did well to find space behind the Manchester United defense.

After the early goal, Newcastle United had the opportunity to sit more numbers behind the ball and Martin Dubravka was not tested in the first half. Possession favored the visitors at the break, but not by the astonishing margin that most Newcastle matches have featured.

Holding the lead, the Magpies made the first sub of the match in the 72nd minute when they took off Joelinton to bring on Andy Carroll. Sean Longstaff would have the next quality chance for Newcastle, but his shot from the edge of the box was parried away by David de Gea.

Despite some late pressure from the Red Devils, the final whistle came and the scoreline read 1-0 in favor of Newcastle. For the first time in his managerial career, Steve Bruce defeated Manchester United, the club he captained as a player.