Devil in the detail: The inside track on Manchester United ahead of Newcastle United’s trip

Newcastle United travel to Manchester United this weekend looking for their first win in the Premier League - tough task, I know. Here’s the view from Old Trafford as Liam Kennedy talks to ManchesterWorld’s Michael Plant about Cristiano Ronaldo’s return, Steve Bruce & more.
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The big question on everyone’s lips ahead of this weekend is, will Ronaldo make his (second) debut on Saturday?

I think we’ll see him in some form at Old Trafford, whether that’s off the bench or starting is another matter. Ronaldo has actually only played 90 minutes once in the last two months and has barely trained with his new team-mates. However, he’ll have spent more minutes with the club this week than several of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s other first-team stars and United can’t help but get wrapped up in the romance of this transfer. So I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll start against the Magpies.

Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 European qualifying round group A football match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at the Algarve stadium in Loule, near Faro, southern Portugal, on September 1, 2021. Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 European qualifying round group A football match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at the Algarve stadium in Loule, near Faro, southern Portugal, on September 1, 2021.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 European qualifying round group A football match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at the Algarve stadium in Loule, near Faro, southern Portugal, on September 1, 2021.
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After the summer window and the positive start to the campaign, what’s the mood like around the club heading into the weekend?

Ronaldo has dominated the agenda and warped the sentiment around the club in the last 10 days or so. But on the pitch it hasn’t been great from United, who have struggled in recent matches against Southampton and Wolves. A similar performance on Saturday will really dampen the Ronaldo-inspired hype. On the other hand, if he plays and scores then expect the razzmatazz around the club to only increase further.

Of all the Premier League clubs, Manchester United’s summer business was probably the most eye-catching overall. What did you make of their window additions?

The signings of Tom Heaton, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Ronaldo have massively enhanced the quality in this squad - it’s undeniably the best Solskjaer has possessed in his time as manager. Despite the spotlight firmly resting on the last of those four recruits, I actually feel Varane will be the biggest asset and is a huge improvement on Victor Lindelof. I still can’t believe United got the Frenchman for such a low price. Sancho and Ronaldo will add extra firepower to an already stacked frontline and I think they’ll hold a place in Solskjaer’s first-choice XI throughout the season. But the big issue for United is the deficiency in midfield. Fred has started the new campaign dreadfully, while Paul Pogba’s defensive output provides the team with a real weakness from the centre of the park.

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What would represent a successful season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Co?

The obvious answer is a trophy, and that would be a real monkey off the manager’s back while ending their hoodoo in latter stages of tournaments. However, the club haven’t really mounted a proper title challenge since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013 and giving it a real go this season is imperative. United were 12 points off top spot in the end last season, and I think that number would need to be halved at the very least in 2021/22, especially after the money spent this summer.

Do you believe Manchester United have anything to fear from this Newcastle United side?

The Red Devils ought to easily dispatch Newcastle, as they should have beaten Southampton a few weeks ago, and the same goes for games against Fulham and Sheffield United last season. They didn’t win any of those encounters and struggled to break the defences down on every occasion. United can find it difficult to find pockets to exploit in sides that sit deep and absorb pressure, as Newcastle will almost certainly do on Saturday. The hope for Steve Bruce will be to keep it tight in the first half, quiet the crowd and hope to nick one at the other end. An early goal for the hosts would be a killer I feel, and it could be a long afternoon for Newcastle if United manage to grab one.

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Steve Bruce is under fire at NUFC at the moment, but what reaction will he get back at Old Trafford?

Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United  and  Southampton at St. James Park on August 28, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United  and  Southampton at St. James Park on August 28, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on August 28, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

An excellent one as always. This will be the 13th time Bruce has travelled to Old Trafford as the visiting manager and only once has he avoided defeat - a 2-2 draw when Sunderland boss in 2009. But that’s not why Bruce is a hugely popular figure at the Theatre of Dreams, and fans still fondly remember the immeasurable contribution he gave to the club’s rise in the early ‘90s, including that first Premier League title triumph and the famous brace against Sheffield Wednesday.

Any injuries, expected absences or players returning?

Scott McTominay returned to training this week after undergoing surgery last month, but it’s unlikely he’ll be fit for Saturday. On the other hand, Sancho should feature after returning early from international duty with a knock. With so many players away with their respective nations over the last 10 days, Solskjaer could provide starting spots to those who have remained at the club during the international break, especially with a Champions League game in midweek. Marcus Rashford and Alex Telles remain unavailable for United.

Likely starting XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Magure, Varane, Shaw; Fred/Matic, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.

Prediction: Man United 4-0 Newcastle United

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I’m going for a comfortable win for the home side. I just think with the euphoria of Ronaldo returning, Newcastle’s visit to Old Trafford has come at an unfortunate time. The Magpies haven’t won away to United since 2013 and I’d be very surprised if that changes by Saturday evening. I even fancy Ronaldo to get himself on the scoresheet, maybe with a gravity-defying header.

*Find Michael Plant on Twitter by clicking this link.