Newcastle United have an awful lot to prove against Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Indeed, Manchester United versus Newcastle United will be the only Premier League game played on what is usually an action-packed afternoon.
It’s a huge game for Newcastle, who need to start turning a corner after a frustrating start to the campaign.
Woltemade and Wissa should start TOGETHER vs Man United 👀 Change my mind!
They continue to throw away points and remain on just one away win in the Premier League this season.
While Eddie Howe’s side played well against Chelsea at home last time out, they can only really start answering the increasing doubts about them by convincing on the road.
Their opponents aren’t always the most convincing themselves but Red Devils defender Patrick Dorgu appears to know how his side can beat the Magpies.
Patrick Dorgu says Manchester United must avoid Newcastle United’s press
Ahead of the game, Dorgu has been speaking to Manchester United’s official website.
The Danish international, who has played alongside William Osula at youth level for his country, is expecting Newcastle to be at their high-pressing best at Old Trafford.
Newcastle have been noted for their pressing game under Howe and while the intense fixture schedule has made it difficult to replicate this season, there were elements of it against Chelsea.
Dorgu is hoping his side can keep the ball in Newcastle’s defensive third, stopping them from pressing.
“I think they press very high,” he said.
“They’re very aggressive as a team, they play very direct and they have a very good midfield to control the game, so I think it’s always difficult to play against Newcastle.
“They just fight for every ball; they’re a very aggressive and strong team. I think the physical battle and to be calm on the ball [will be important].
“We need to try to get the ball in their half so they cannot press us so high.”
What is your best memory of Newcastle playing at Old Trafford? 🏟️
The 3-0 win in the cup was so special! The night Hall and Tino truly announced themselves to the Toon Army!
Nick Woltemade will be key to Newcastle United’s pressing game against Manchester United
Hopefully, Newcastle do play on the front foot in Manchester. They don’t always do that in away games.
If they do, Nick Woltemade will play an important role before he even starts thinking about scoring any goals.
Howe loved Woltemade’s pressing against Chelsea, with the forward helping smother the Blues in the first half.
Having been afforded something of a rest over the last five or six days – an unusually long time in the context of Newcastle’s season to date – Woltemade should be fresh.
If he can reproduce the performance he produced off the ball against the Blues, Newcastle will have a stronger chance of claiming only a second away win of their Premier League campaign thus far.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!