PREDICTED XI’s: RDA writers predict their Manchester United starting lineups for the visit of Newcastle United this evening

No wins in four for Manchester United means Jose Mourinho is under real pressure returning to Old Trafford this weekend. Will he stick with the same side who lost 3-1 to West Ham last week or name a similar one to the side who could only manage a draw at home to Valencia in the Champions League? Our writers predict their XI.

It is unlikely that Mourinho will name a similar side to the one that played at the London Stadium last Saturday. First of all, I expect to see the team revert back to a back four, rather than a back three.

Therefore that would see Scott McTominay miss out with two more comfortable centre-halves sitting in between two flying fullbacks.

If Mourinho were to adopt a similar side that played Valencia in the week, then that would see a return to the 433 formation. A system which has been used frequently this campaign.

Either way, both systems failed to deliver a positive performance of note and more importantly a much-needed win. So does Jose tinker, stick or twist? Our writers predict their starting lineups below.

Ollie Slack

Starting XI: David De Gea, Ashley Young, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Marouane Fellaini, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, (433).

This starting XI would be one similar to teams Jose Mourinho has selected recently. Barring the home draw against Wolves, a sitting midfield pairing of Fellaini and Matic has proved relatively successful on the road. So well it was a surprise not to see it feature against West Ham last week, perhaps Mourinho should have stuck with it.

The only concern is that this system is proven away from home but will it work at Old Trafford where Newcastle are likely to sit in and park the bus. Without the movement of a classy number 10 such as Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, this team could play right into Newcastle’s hands.

Ali Akbar

Starting XI: David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly, Chirs Smalling, Luke Shaw, Fred, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, (433).

Diogo Dalot would be the perfect full-back to play down the right-hand side with Alexis Sanchez. Dalot’s natural tendency to stay hugged to the touchline, stretching the ply and providing crosses allows more space inside for Sanchez to delve into. Sanchez could use a quick full-back as technically gifted as Dalot for an overlapping option when running at defenders.

Jeffrey Jebakumar

Starting XI: David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Chirs Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Fred, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, (433).

This lineup would definitely add pace to United’s attack and cause problems in behind if Newcastle were to step up high at one point. However, is this likely to happen often or will Rafa Benitez instruct his players to sit deep and park the bus, leaving hardly any space in behind for Rashford and Martial to run into?

Having the option of Lindelof too gives United the chance to play out from the back. If Newcastle were to sit deep Lindelof could step into midfield and give the team another option on the ball to thread passes between the lines.