Newcastle United is set to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup tonight, and a notable change in the lineup is anticipated as one Toon player is expected to assume a different position at Old Trafford.
Eddie Howe faces the challenging task of rotating his squad. On one hand, he is eager to field a Newcastle team that possesses enough quality to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. On the other hand, he is well aware that his squad is already stretched due to impending Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
The timing of the cup clash with Manchester United is far from ideal for Newcastle, especially as Howe is missing some key players. The return of Sven Botman from injury remains uncertain, and Alexander Isak is unlikely to be available until after the upcoming international break.
Of all the injuries, the absence of Isak is the most significant, leaving Callum Wilson as the only available striker, even though he is dealing with his own fitness concerns. Consequently, Howe will need to get creative as he contemplates asking one of his Newcastle stars to play in an unfamiliar position.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Anthony Gordon is expected to be deployed as a forward for Newcastle against Manchester United. This decision would give Wilson a much-needed rest, which is a prudent choice in preparation for upcoming matches against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.
Ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, Howe has expressed confidence in Gordon’s ability to excel in a central role, based on his performance for the England Under-21s during the summer. Now, we will witness whether Gordon can replicate his success in a Newcastle jersey.
Deploying Gordon as a forward and resting Wilson is a sensible decision, but it does mean that Howe will have to select someone else to play on the left wing. His options for this role include Joelinton, Joe Willock, Matt Ritchie, and Lewis Hall, with our predicted starting XI favoring the latter.
While team selection poses a challenge for Howe, opting for Gordon as the striker appears to be the right call, regardless of the ultimate outcome.