Newcastle United v Manchester United: Key stats and talking points Newcastle United may have advanced to the knockout stages of European competition but their domestic performance has sharply declined as they prepare for Wednesday’s clash against a Manchester United side that has remained undefeated in 11 Premier League matches. The Magpies have suffered five losses in their last six league games, including all three of their recent matches at St James’ Park—a situation not seen since February 2021 under manager Steve Bruce. Over the past six fixtures, Newcastle have ranked second-bottom of the league table, accumulating fewer points than the three clubs currently in the relegation zone. Only Tottenham Hotspur, which is itself in a precarious position, has performed worse during this period. The team’s struggles have pushed them down from ninth to 13th in the league standings ahead of a demanding March schedule that includes an FA Cup fifth-round encounter with Manchester City and both legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against La Liga leaders Barcelona. Head coach Eddie Howe has faced challenges in balancing his attacking approach, with club record signing Nick Woltemade playing a deeper role and Anthony Gordon failing to match his outstanding European form in domestic matches. Last week’s 3-2 defeat by Everton marked the second consecutive game in which Woltemade failed to register a touch in the opposition box, sparking discussions about how to best utilize the 6-foot-5 German forward. Despite these difficulties, Newcastle’s recent history against Manchester United offers some optimism. The club has triumphed in their last three home league meetings with the Red Devils, a record that matches their previous 18 matches against the team.#manchester_united #newcastle_united #eddie_howe #michael_carrick #steve_bruce
