With Rashford and Garnacho in the starting lineup, Manchester United visit Newcastle

One of the most interesting games of the weekend in Europe will be this Saturday's match between Newcastle and Manchester United. Both teams are among the top teams in the Premier League standings and are competing for the same goals: not only to get closer to leaders Arsenal, but also to reach the Champions League 2024/25 qualification places.

For now, the Red Devils are in sixth place with 24 points and that allows them to reach the next UEFA Europa League. But the goal is the main European tournament and for that they must catch Aston Villa, who have 28 points and will visit Bournemouth on Sunday. The Magpies are in a similar situation. They have 23 points and are in the Conference League qualification zone.

For Manchester United it will also be an opportunity to turn the page and forget last Wednesday's failure in Turkey. They needed to beat Galatasaray to dream of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, but they drew 3-3 and it is now almost impossible for them to do so.

That's why coach Erik Ten Hag will now give priority to the English league and this Saturday at St. James' Park will include most of the stars in the starting lineup. The XI will be: André Onana; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot; Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Anthony Martial. Also on the bench will be Altay Bayindir, Victor Lindelof, Sergio Reguilon, Raphael Varane, Sofyan Amrabat, Donny Van de Beek, Facundo Pellistri, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.

They also have other targets

Newcastle are also participating in the Champions League. Last Tuesday they drew 1-1 against Paris Saint-Germain, in a match in which they felt disadvantaged by the VAR and the referee, as the French scored the equaliser from the spot in stoppage time. The Magpies now need to focus on the Premier League and coach Eddie Howe chose this starting lineup: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Valentino Livramento; Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.