MARTIN KEOWN: Newcastle’s four wide wizards can help Eddie Howe’s side torment Man United… the Magpies will look to use energy of St James’ Park to undo their midweek Champions League heartache

We are in for a Saturday night thriller between Newcastle and Manchester United, two teams desperate for an immediate response to their European away-day disappointments in midweek. Key to Newcastle triumphing will be the bond between the 11 players on the pitch and 52,000 supporters in the stands.

It was a scandalous penalty for Paris Saint-Germain which cost them in the Champions League, and Eddie Howe’s injury list is so long that their last Premier League bench against Chelsea included three goalkeepers and four academy starlets.

But if ever there was a stadium that can give energy to its depleted group, it is St James’ Park. I say that from personal experience, having seen how its special support can lift the home side. 

The enthusiasm exuding from the fans is transferred to the team and Newcastle have relentless runners on both flanks. On the left, there’s Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon — both as quick and direct and energetic as each other. They attack together, defend together and will run until they drop.

On the right, there’s Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron. Trippier has created more chances and hit more crosses than anyone this season, and Almiron is a man who never stops moving. You will struggle to find a better partnership between full back and winger at another Premier League club than Newcastle have in Livramento-Gordon and Trippier-Almiron.

Newcastle can utilise their four ‘wide wizards’ to cause problems for United, with Tino Livramento (L) and Anthony Gordon (R) possessing plenty of pace on one flank 

On the other wing, the home side can utilise the experience and pace of Kieran Trippier (L) and Miguel Almiron (R) 

In between these two twinned hives of attacking activity is Alexander Isak. Although he looked isolated as a lone striker against PSG — a consequence of Newcastle’s plan to stay compact and sit deep using four defenders and five midfielders, especially after they went ahead — Isak poses a real threat with his pace.

Harry Maguire has formed a commanding centre-back partnership with Victor Lindelof for United, who have won five of their last six in the Premier League with their help. 

Maguire’s return to the team has been so impressive and he is a nominee for November’s player of the month. But if United play a high line on Saturday, Maguire and Lindelof may struggle to handle Isak’s bursts in behind, with Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes capable of producing those probing passes into the channels that Newcastle’s striker loves to chase.

Newcastle’s full-backs tormented Chelsea in their 4-1 win, with Livramento and Trippier having a combined 179 touches 

Harry Maguire has impressed for Man United of late and is a nominee for player of the month

But Erik ten Hag may opt to call Raphael Varane back into the fold to guard against Newcastle’s speed in attack

It could be a difficult evening for United’s defenders, so soon after conceding three to Galatasaray in the Champions League where Andre Onana did them no favours. 

Erik ten Hag may even consider bringing back Raphael Varane as he is quicker than Maguire and Lindelof and therefore better equipped to deal with the threat of Isak.

With a long list of absentees, Newcastle have been trying to cope with the added workload of rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite this season. They are determined to secure Champions League football for the next campaign and so are Manchester United. 

With a special atmosphere awaiting them at St James’ Park, both clubs know victory would see them take a significant stride towards securing that possibility.