There was considerable disappointment when Eddie Howe revealed his starting XI for Newcastle United against Manchester United.
While Fabian Schar’s return to the bench offered a glimmer of hope after concerns about his season-ending, Eddie Howe refrained from making significant changes to his Newcastle United lineup unless necessary. The sole alteration saw Kieran Trippier replace Tino Livramento, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury. Howe opted against swapping Martin Dubravka with Nick Pope and kept Joelinton on the bench initially.
Joelinton eventually entered the game in the second half, making a positive impact alongside Schar, who also made his return against Manchester United. In a post-match interview with NUFC TV, Howe explained his decision not to start Joelinton or Schar, citing concerns about risking their fitness given their recent return from injury. While acknowledging their contributions off the bench, he emphasized the need for caution with players not yet at full fitness.
While it’s encouraging to have key players back, it may be too late in the season for their impact to be significant. With only one game remaining, Howe faces decisions about whether to include them in the starting lineup against Brentford. The frustration mounts as the team’s fate for European qualification hangs in the balance. Howe must make bold decisions for the final game, prioritizing the best possible lineup to salvage a challenging season and keep European hopes alive.