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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 14
Newcastle United v Manchester United
St James' Park
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Saturday, 2 December 2023
Kick-off is at 21h00
Manchester United will look to continue their march up the table when they lock horns with Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday, December 2 in the late kick-off.
Results have been steadily improving for the Red Devils in recent weeks if not their performances and a 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on November 26 lifted them up to sixth in the standings.
It was a fourth win in five games for Erik ten Hag's side as they closed within four points of the
UEFA Champions League places and Tottenham (5th) are next in their sights.
Spurs have suffered three defeats on the spin after going unbeaten in their opening 10 matches, with Aston Villa overtaking them into fourth spot courtesy of a 2-1 triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on matchday 13.
Alamy Stock Photo
The Magpies gave the perfect response to their shock 2-0 loss at Bournemouth as they dismantled Chelsea 4-1 on Tyneside to stay a point ahead of Brighton in seventh position.
Eddie Howe's side have won six of their seven games on home soil this season, only dropping points in a 2-1 reverse to Liverpool on August 27 and they've only lost to United twice in the last four years in their own backyard.
Anthony Gordon could cause United all sorts of problems on the right side of their defence after another impressive performance against the Blues. The winger clipped in a delicious cross for Jamal Lascelles to head the Toon back in front before rounding off the scoring with a fine finish across the goalkeeper to register his fifth goal of the season.
Kobbie Mainoo delivered an assured display on his first Premier League start for the Red Devils and looked the most composed player on the pitch with his 61 touches on the ball, the fourth most for United behind Victor Lindelof, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot. The 18-year-old midfielder even made a goal-saving clearance off the line with his team 1-0 up and the time.
Howe praised his patched-up team for coming through a "difficult moment" to give an outstanding performance against Chelsea and claim a "deserved" win.
"I think it was a real statement of the character in the squad, the ability to be resilient and respond in difficult moments," he said. "We really asked the players to step up today, the ones who were available, and they did. We deserved to win and it was a top-class performance.
"There were some really big positives for us to take today. We don't surrender. It's a difficult moment for us and that won't change in the short term, but we've shown we've still got very good players."
Alejandro Garnacho scored a sensational overhead kick against the Toffees to draw comparisons with United legend Wayne Rooney and Ten Hag believes the teenager has the potential to reach the same level once he performs consistently.
"Don't compare, I don't think it's right," the Dutchman replied when asked about how Garnacho's goal weighed up against Rooney's in the Manchester derby.
"They all have their own identity, but for Garnacho to go that way, he still has a lot to come. He has to work very hard, and you have to do it on a consistent basis.
"So far, he's not, but he definitely has high potential and [is able] to do some amazing things. And it's not the first time we saw this [talent], we have already seen glimpses.
"You have to work very hard. You have to go in areas where it hurts. And so, [there is] a lot to come, but he has potential."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Newcastle United - 1
Manchester United - 2
Draws - 2
Premier League Matchday 14 fixtures:
Saturday, December 2
17h00: Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers
17h00: Brentford v Luton Town
17h00: Burnley v Sheffield United
19h30: Nottingham Forest v Everton
22h00: Newcastle United v Manchester United
Sunday, December 3
16h00: Bournemouth v Aston Villa
16h00: Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Liverpool v Fulham
16h00: West Ham United v Crystal Palace
18h30: Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
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