£40m worth of wishful thinking - Our predicted Newcastle United lineup to take on Man United

Eddie Howe takes his Newcastle United side to soggy Manchester United on Wednesday night in an 8pm kick-off live on Sky Sports.

It's a huge match between two sides who are chasing the same European place. A point for Newcastle will be enough to seal a higher finish than the Red Devils and effectively end their pursuit of gaining a European spot through their league placement - they can still qualify by winning the FA Cup which could have a knock-on effect for the Magpies too.

Erik ten Hag is hoping to welcome back Lisandro Martinez for tomorrow night's game although he will only be able to play one half, depending on which end of the pitch is the shallow end.

Eddie Howe, meanwhile, is sweating on the fitness of Fabian Schar, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak and also has some big calls to make for other first-team players returning from injury. Here's how we think Newcastle will line up.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope - We backed him to start against Brighton and were wrong, but with two games left and Pope hoping to get back into the England side he's going to need game time.

Defence

Tino Livramento - It's probably far too soon for Trippier to start especially with just five minutes under his belt so Tino will stay at right-back. He's doing superb there anyway.

Emil Krafth - We don't think Fabian Schar will make it for tomorrow night, and if he does, he'll only be as far as the bench.

Dan Burn - Captain Burn the centre-back has been a different player lately to the one that was the scapegoat for so long this season.

Lewis Hall - The 19-year-old looked really good on Saturday. He's definitely more of an attacking threat than a defensive rock but we still like the look of him.

Midfield

Sean Longstaff - He couldn't make it three goals in three games could he?

Bruno Guimaraes - Fit. Plays. End.

Joelinton - Possibly wishful thinking but the £40million man against this struggling Man United side is just mouthwatering.

Forwards

Jacob Murphy - Could be Miggy Almiron here but we know Eddie Howe just bloody loves Murphy.

Alexander Isak - Wasn't 100% on Saturday and Howe said he hadn't trained as of Monday, but we expect he'll be back. If not then Callum Wilson will be.

Anthony Gordon - Is as nailed on for a place in the starting lineup as Bruno these days. We simply can't be without him.

Another strong bench for Eddie Howe

There's plenty of scope for things to change here, obviously depending on the fitness/wellness of Isak and Wilson as to which, if any starts.

Fabian Schar is in with a chance according to Howe but we don't think he'll risk him beyond putting him on the bench.

Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson and Miguel Almiron are likely to be late substitutes to run at Man United when they get tired, hopefully, Barnes will be better than he was on Saturday.

It's not going to be an easy game even with Man United's current form. We wouldn't like to call it.