Manchester United vs Newcastle United is all about one man this Saturday at Old Trafford (start time 10am ET on USA Network and online via NBCSports.com) as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to make his second Red Devils debut.
WATCH MANCHESTER UNITED vs NEWCASTLE FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Ronaldo, 36, sealed a sensational return to Manchester United right at the end of the summer window and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to unleash the Portuguese superstar in front of a packed Old Trafford.
With Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford (when he returns from injury) around, there is huge competition for places in the attacking third at United.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
But Cristiano Ronaldo is Cristiano Ronaldo, so he is going to play a lot of games this season. The excitement is palpable throughout the Manchester United fanbase to see Ronaldo back in the famous No. 7 shirt.
This is the last thing Newcastle and their beleaguered boss Steve Bruce would have wanted, as they are without a win so far this season and the Magpies are heavy underdogs for this trip to United. They will sit back, frustrate and try to hit Manchester United on the counter, but their main focus will be on keeping Ronaldo quiet.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Manchester United vs Newcastle United.
Manchester United team news, injuries
Cristiano Ronaldo will start, as he has been training in Manchester after leaving the Portuguese national team early.
Elsewhere, Scott McTominay has had surgery on a hip issue, while Fred is on the bench. Jadon Sancho appears to be fit to play after leaving the England setup during the international break. Marcus Rashford, Alex Telles, Dean Henderson and Phil Jones remain out.
🚨 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐗𝐈 📋
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2021
The news we've all been waiting for... 🤩#MUFC | #MUNNEW
Newcastle United team news, injuries
Steve Bruce already has a whole host of injury problems to deal with as Martin Dubravka, Jonjo Shelvey, Paul Dummett, Ryan Fraser, Elliott Andersen are all out, while Callum Wilson is struggling with a thigh injury. Issac Hayden does return to the lineup and Karl Darlow is available off the bench.
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠-𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 11, 2021
HWTL! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/cXIi5Zxkpy
Odds and ends (full odds provided by our partner, PointsBet)
Manchester United are the heavy, heavy favorites at -500, while Newcastle are +1200 to win. The draw is +575.
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links
Prediction
Everything points to a blowout win for Manchester United amid a party atmosphere at Old Trafford amid Ronaldo’s return. United will have too much in attack for Newcastle. Manchester United 4-0 Newcastle United.