Newcastle have got a tough challenge ahead of them this afternoon as they prepare to welcome Jose Mourinho’s Man United to St James’ Park.
And fans are gutted that Dwight Gayle is up top, with no sign of new striker signing Islam Slimani.
It means that he’ll play a maximum of ten games now for Newcastle with his loan running out in the summer.
The team line-up was announced on the official Newcastle Twitter page ahead of the 2.15pm kick-off.
TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up against @ManUtd in the @premierleague today (kick-off 2:15pm GMT). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/4k6yhjsK7f
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 11, 2018
Newcastle’s season is starting to take a worrying dip, with the club sitting on the same points as Stoke and only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Things are tight at the bottom though and a win could see them move all the way up to 13th place, ahead of Brighton on goal difference.
However, United are on a run of six consecutive games across all competitions and are heavy favourites to take all three points today.
And fans are worried that Benitez has got to rely on Dwight Gayle again up front with Slimani not fit.
Here is a selection of the best reactions from Newcastle fans ahead of the 2.15pm kick-off.
No Slimani. Great.
— Ben Mancebo-Thomas (@BenMancebo) February 11, 2018
Oh well. Prepare for a hammering then
— adam barrass (@TheMadMagpie86) February 11, 2018
Slimani where?
— Matthew (@DoonyXD) February 11, 2018
Beginning of the end for us now let mitro go and sign an injured striker. Slimani , merino and Kenedy playing together would be our only hope. Perez and gayle couldn’t hurt fc united of manchester never mind man utd. #nufc
— Jason Wearmouth (@Jasonwearmouth) February 11, 2018
Gayle ????
— Richard (@Leo_Messi_10__) February 11, 2018
No Merino, no Slimani Shelvey is starting I just cba.
— Jack (@Jack_Rogers97) February 11, 2018
Slimani could of been on the bench like. We have a 2 week break after this ????
— Wayne Black (@blackster_2008) February 11, 2018
Thought slimani just missed out on last game & not even on da bench today ? ????????
— MG.T (@mgtempa) February 11, 2018
Hahahahahaha what’s going on man
— Joe Oliver (@JoeOliver4) February 11, 2018
What was the actual point in loaning slimani ????
— Jake Turnbull (@JakeRTurnbull) February 11, 2018
Absolute zero goal threat…. as usual fkn shite, Depressing 90mins coming up
— brentclark (@brentclark1984) February 11, 2018
How many more chances for Gayle???
— John M (@ShieldsMag) February 11, 2018
In other Newcastle news, it has been confirmed that the Magpies best a host of clubs to this striker’s signature.
