Newcastle United PREDICTED XI (And Score) Vs Man Utd

There was something unsettling about Steve McClaren's team selection last weekend. Not to judge the former Derby boss too quickly but surely it was either extremely naive or painfully ignorant to believe that the side who scraped a messy draw with a lacklustre Southampton side could adequately compete at the Liberty Stadium. McClaren doesn't have the excuse - as other Newcastle bosses perhaps have done - of not having a relatively healthy squad size and last weekend he failed to demonstrate being tactically capable of using his. The identical side and 4-2-3-1 formation was rolled out with Georginio Wijnaldum being used as a #10 and both full-backs instructed to play vey high up the pitch. It didn't work and despite the Magpies being manipulated by Jonjo Shelvey and hypnotised by Jefferson Montero for 45 minutes, no first half changes were made. Like a young whippersnapper who enters a smokey billiards hall only to find out that after having a great result in his first game, the opponents were mysteriously a lot tougher second time around. Newcastle were well and truly hustled by Swansea who had revised the footage, brought their own cue and made you buy them an expensive three-point cocktail. This week they're entering an even more intimidating arena; imagine saloon doors, tankards and Memphis Depay with a handlebar moustache. A flickering sign outside reads 'Old Trafford' and Louis van Gaal is propped up at the bar laughing as he clocks McClaren's arrival. "Try playing that side again, if you dare..." he whispers as the Magpies' boss and Ian Cathro order a drink... After that threat, WhatCulture.com/NUFC have predicted the starting eleven for Saturday€™s fixture (We've decided to make a couple of changes), outlined their specific duties and given our opinions on the scoreline...