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Team news: Matty Longstaff starts as Bruce rings the changes
Written by Rory Mitchinson
There’s a Premier League debut for teenage midfielder Matty Longstaff as Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce shuffles his pack for this afternoon’s visit of Manchester United.
Longstaff’s only previous appearance for Newcastle in a competitive fixture came against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup in August, when he completed 90 minutes in the Magpies’ engine room.
His older brother Sean was an unused substitute that night, but the two will start together as the Red Devils come to town this afternoon.
Elsewhere, there is a first Premier League outing of the season for Ciaran Clark – who comes in for Paul Dummett in central defence – while DeAndre Yedlin starts for the first time since April as Bruce reverts to a five-man backline.
Those two join skipper Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär and another returnee, Dutchman Jetro Willems.
And, in front of the Longstaff brothers, there is a further change, with Allan Saint-Maximin replacing Christian Atsu. The wide-man’s only previous start for United came against Tottenham Hotspur in August, where he lasted less than 20 minutes before limping off the pitch.
Both Dummett and Atsu figure among the list of Magpies substitutes, as does forward Dwight Gayle, who will make a first appearance for Newcastle since May 2018 if he comes off the bench today.
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka, DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Jetro Willems, Matty Longstaff, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almirón, Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey, Christian Atsu, Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle.