Newcastle United’s second game of the Premier League campaign sees them travel down to West Yorkshire to battle another promoted side, in the shape of Huddersfield Town.
Having lost both Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune to injuries in the opening day loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Jonjo Shelvey through suspension, Rafa Benitez has been forced to shuffle his pack.
Indeed, Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles reunite their central defensive partnership as a result of Lejeune’s problem, while Mikel Merino replaces Shelvey.
Merino, signed on loan from Borussia Dortmund this summer, has impressed fans over the course of pre-season made his debut against Spurs late on and looked relatively assured on the ball.
While the Terriers will prove a much different beast, the fact the Spaniard has been handed a starting berth alongside Isaac Hayden has seriously excited fans on Twitter.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how Newcastle United fans reacted online.
Mbemba and Merino deserve to start for #NUFC, thought both did ok after coming off the bench last week. Gayle needs more support though. https://t.co/8ov8P4UpuT
— Gabriel Sutton (@GabSutton) August 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/MikeBakr/status/899236098811060225
https://twitter.com/nufcsense/status/899236016023891968
It could be Merino day #NUFC #HUDNEW
— pastor Patrick Hodak vel. Montana von sygnalista (@PatrykHodak) August 20, 2017
Good to see Merino starting today, looked tidy against Spurs. Interesting to see how Perez, Ritchie & Atsu fit work around Gayle. #NUFC
— Matt Smith (@MattAlexSmith) August 20, 2017
Excited to see what Merino can bring to the team #nufc
— Daniel R (@danielr_nufc) August 20, 2017
MIKEL MERINO #NUFC
— Michael (@rooney03) August 20, 2017
Merino starting for Newcastle United, brilliant choice! Looks a promising player! #NUFC
— Nathan.Rockett (@NathanRockett) August 20, 2017
