OPINION
If ever there was an opportunity for Newcastle United to break their duck and get a first Premier League win of the season, it’s this Saturday against Manchester United.
In prior years that would’ve been an outrageous statement, but Jose Mourinho’s side are in turmoil and the Magpies must make sure they take full advantage.
That means manager Rafael Benitez being bold in his team selection and making four changes to the side that produced such a woeful performance against Leicester City last time out.
There shouldn’t be a change between the sticks, of course. Martin Dubravka has performed admirably in difficult circumstances this year and he’s one of Benitez’s most trusted players at this point.
Defenders Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett are back in training and should be selected if fit, meaning Ciaran Clark must drop out with Kenedy moving further forward. Jamaal Lascelles and DeAndre Yedlin are firmly entrenched at the back and will surely remain in place.
The midfield four could see a few alterations. Matt Ritchie, after being unpopularity substituted last time out, must remain on the right hand side, but Kenedy should move up from left back to replace Christian Atsu. Mohamed Diame has been poor this term and must be replaced, so Ki Sung-yeung must come in for him.
Misfit Ayoze Perez, on a reported £45,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], has been terrible this season and should be removed after his latest sub-par performance, with summer signing Yoshinori Muto surely coming in to replace him. Salomon Rondon is unavailable, so Joselu will likely continue to lead the line.
