Newcastle United vs. Manchester United Prediction: Carrick’s Side to Win Again?

• Michael Carrick has transformed Manchester United since his arrival

• This is a Premier League season to forget for Newcastle United 

• Who will triumph when these two teams go head-to-head on Wednesday?

Newcastle United vs. Manchester United Odds

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My +160 Pick for Newcastle United vs. Manchester United 

Back Manchester United to beat Newcastle United. The Magpies are having a difficult campaign, while their opponents are in fantastic form. Go for the away team in this one.

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Manchester United Suddenly Have Third Place in Their Sights

What a difference a manager makes. Manchester United are a team transformed under the leadership of Michael Carrick, who has guided his team to 19 points from the last 21 available in the Premier League. United are up to third and the best online sportsbooks rate their chances of Champions League qualification highly.

Carrick has done a tremendous job. If he keeps this up, it is hard to see him being overlooked for the full-time role. Some still believe United would be better off appointing a proven elite manager, with Luis Enrique among the names mentioned. But there is no guarantee the Paris Saint-Germain boss would accept an offer from Old Trafford.

Anyway, it would be a brave move to in effect fire Carrick given the impression he has made. Of course, an imminent downturn in form would force a rethink, particularly if it culminates in United dropping out of the top five. But as things stand, the job is Carrick's to lose.

United’s latest victory was not their most convincing. They were disappointing in the first half against Crystal Palace and deserved to be behind at the interval. But it is important to win matches even when you are not at your best, and that is exactly what United did.

Bruno Fernandes restored parity from the penalty spot after Maxence Lacroix fouled Matheus Cunha, earning himself a red card in the process. That was the turning point, and it was not a surprise when Benjamin Sesko’s bullet header put United ahead. The Red Devils could have done a better job of managing the match thereafter, but the most important thing is they got over the line.

“Football is tough at times and this league is tough, so you’re never going to have it all your own way,” Carrick said afterwards. “But the way we came back in the second half and turned the game in our favour was the biggest thing for me.”

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Newcastle United’s Season To Be Defined by Other Tournaments

Newcastle United finished fifth last season, qualifying for the Champions League as a result. They are through to the round of 16 of that competition, with a two-legged tie against Barcelona on the horizon. But unless they go on to lift the trophy in May, Newcastle will not be in the Champions League next season.

A glance at the Premier League table shows why. Newcastle are way down in 13th ahead of the midweek round of fixtures. They will not be able to overturn a 12-point deficit to the top five at this late stage of proceedings. In fact, Newcastle are now closer to the bottom three than the Champions League spots in terms of both points and league positions. 

Their latest setback came at the hands of Everton, who ran out 3-2 winners at St James’ Park on Saturday. Newcastle have now lost five of their last six matches in the Premier League. That is not good enough for a club with Champions League aspirations, as Eddie Howe himself would admit.

Newcastle’s season will now be defined by how they get on in the Champions League and the FA Cup. Victory in either tournament would make this a campaign to remember regardless of where they finish in the top flight. But with Barcelona and Manchester City their respective opponents in the next round, Newcastle will not have things easy in those two competitions.

“It is a challenge to lift ourselves back into the Premier League after European games, a big physical effort and we haven’t done that well enough,” Howe said after the Everton loss. “It is not for lack of effort but we have to do better. There’s not a break for us and we have to regroup quickly.”

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Manchester United Can Take Another Step Towards Top Five

Newcastle United are stuck in a rut at the moment. Manchester United have the bit between their teeth. Both positive and negative runs of form always come to an end at some point, but the above trends are likely to continue when these two teams butt heads on Wednesday.

Manchester United have demonstrated an ability to win games in several different ways under Carrick. That is an important characteristic for any team that aims to be towards the top end of the division. Everyone wants to deliver dominant displays week after week, but that is simply not possible across a 38-game campaign.

Newcastle have a reputation for raising their game for the big occasion, and the visit of Manchester United is certainly one of those. However, the Magpies have lost three home matches on the bounce in the league and they are not playing well at the moment.

Manchester United cannot rest on their laurels despite their promising position in the Champions League qualification berths. There is a lot of soccer still to be played this term and we will probably see a few twists and turns between now and matchday 38. But Carrick’s charges have every reason to be confident given events of the last few weeks.

Follow the form book and back Manchester United to get the better of Newcastle when these two teams go head-to-head in the northeast of England.

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How to Watch Newcastle United vs. Manchester United

• Teams: Newcastle United vs. Manchester United

• Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle, England

• Date and Time: Wednesday 4th March, 3:15PM ET

• How to Watch: Peacock Premium