Big questions on selection for the final two games
NEWCASTLE’S top-flight safety was secured a little while back during a significant unbeaten run for all but the most cautious mathematicians.
Therefore, having also got rid of the irksome humour of a friendly fixture computer giving us Liverpool and Manchester City back to back, what can Eddie Howe glean from the final two games of a momentous season?
Well, first and foremost he like the Geordie faithful will wish to get something out of tricky matches against Arsenal at home and Burnley at Turf Moor.
There is no way United want to sully the epic rise from the dead by finishing with four successive defeats.
The key of course to Monday night is the match fitness of Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson. They would be a shoo-in under normal circumstances but dare Howe start them both after such long lay-offs?
Naturally there were signs of rustiness when they came on at Manchester City. Wilson missed an opportunity he would gobble up when razor sharp and Trippier lost a foot race with Jack Grealish for City’s fourth goal.
Should either of them not kick off what does Howe do? Maybe a case can be made for starting Javier Manquillo at right-back with Emil Krafth showing a few signs of things catching up with him after a terrific run in the team.
Some might argue Jacob Murphy also deserves a rare start in place of the ever-willing Miggy Almiron to reveal what he can bring to the table bearing in mind that long-term Ryan Fraser will come back into the equation and if either Jonjo Shelvey or Joe Willock are fit then Shaun Longstaff could well return to the subs’ bench.
Competing with Kevin de Bruyne was hardly likely to do anyone’s career a favour.
As for up top, there is hardly an alternative to Chris Wood if Wilson is deemed not ready to start unless United’s manager reverts to a false nine.
There lies United’s biggest problem, of course.
Wilson remains United’s top scorer with six goals despite being out of action for more than four months. That beggars belief.
While his class is unquestioned his fitness record is shocking.
He has missed more than four months of the season in each of his three years on Tyneside.
Wood, meanwhile, is destined to be a squad player next season having scored just twice in 16 appearances with one a penalty.
He has rarely looked like notching from open play and while he is as willing as the day is long the harsh facts are he is one-paced, not aggressive round the penalty area and not as ruthless in the air which is supposed to be his strength.
If United are aiming to go to the next level then a more successful all-round model is required next season. That is a fact, kind words uttered from above or not.
Many of course are on trial as automatic first-teamers if not squad players. Martin Dubravka, Jamaal Lascelles and Almiron for example. Murphy, Krafth, Sean Longstaff and Manquillo are fighting for a shirt of a minor nature.
Ciaran Clark, Jamal Lewis, Isaac Hayden, Karl Darlow, Freddie Woodman, Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez, Matty Longstaff and Jeff Hendrick could be looking for fresh employment.
If decent money has to be made then offers may have to be considered for the likes of Almiron and Lascelles.
It is a time not for kid gloves but an iron fist. Nothing was ever built on a faint heart.