Newcastle United is gearing up for a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester United at St James' Park this Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Magpies, currently sitting fifth in the table, are hoping to secure a win that could elevate them to fourth place, ahead of Chelsea, and solidify their position in the Champions League spots.
One of the key players for Newcastle, Alexander Isak, has been confirmed fit to start against the Red Devils. Isak, who has been nursing a groin injury, missed the league defeat at Liverpool last month and has not completed a full 90 minutes in any of the club's last five matches. However, after participating in a full series of training sessions this week, he is set to remain in the starting line-up for the highly anticipated match.
Assistant manager Jason Tindall, who is stepping in for head coach Eddie Howe due to Howe's illness, provided updates on Isak's condition during a pre-match press conference. "He’s trained the last couple of days," Tindall said. "He’s trained, and he feels fine. It’s something that we’ll assess day by day, but we’re expecting him to hopefully be available for the weekend." Tindall emphasized that the focus remains solely on the Manchester United game, despite Newcastle's busy schedule, which includes a match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
In contrast, Anthony Gordon remains an injury doubt for the upcoming game. Although he returned to training this week after serving a three-match suspension, he was not included in the squad for Newcastle's recent match against Leicester City due to lingering effects from an injury sustained while on international duty with England. Tindall noted, "He’s had a decent week with the physios. He was back on the grass for a pitch session yesterday. We'll assess him again today to see how he's responded to that session, then we'll have to make a late call over the weekend to see how he is for Sunday."
The preparations for the match have been somewhat disrupted by Howe's absence. The club announced on Friday, April 11, that Howe would not be attending the press conference due to illness, and Tindall has taken over the media duties. Tindall expressed concern for Howe, stating, "He’s been really poorly the last couple of days, bed-ridden. We’ve been in daily contact. It’s not affected any of our preparations up until now but we have still got a couple of days, and I’m sure he will be fine for the weekend."
This isn’t the first time Tindall has stepped in for Howe during a press conference. He previously took over media duties ahead of a match against Luton Town in February 2024. Tindall is known for his animated presence on the touchline, having made headlines for his interactions with opposing managers like Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery. Despite the pressures, he remains focused on his role, stating, "I respect all managers, I know how tough the job is. What happens on the touchline, nothing is personal, if I fall out with anyone, it’s just in the heat of battle. I’m defending my corner and my corner is Newcastle United."
Looking ahead to the match against Manchester United, Newcastle has a strong record against their rivals. In the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in December 2024, Newcastle secured a convincing 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Isak and Joelinton. This win marked a significant moment for the Magpies, who have been striving to establish themselves among the league's elite.
Newcastle's recent performance has been impressive, particularly following their 3-0 victory over Leicester City on April 7, 2025. In that match, Jacob Murphy netted two goals, while Harvey Barnes added another, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess. Tindall praised the players’ professionalism, saying, "Impressive, but really professional as well in terms of the way that the players took the game. We stuck to our task, we were professional, really good to get a clean sheet, and three goals."
As the season progresses, Newcastle is looking to maintain their momentum. Currently, they sit one point ahead of sixth-placed Manchester City, with the added benefit of a game in hand. A fifth-place finish would guarantee Champions League qualification, as UEFA has granted an additional spot to the Premier League this season. With Arsenal’s midweek victory over Real Madrid, England has solidified its position in the club coefficient rankings, ensuring that Newcastle can secure a place in Europe’s most prestigious competition if they can hold their league position until the end of the season.
After Sunday’s match, Newcastle will have seven league games remaining, while Manchester United will have six. The stakes are high, and the Magpies are determined to capitalize on their home advantage and continue their impressive run in the Premier League. With Tindall at the helm for now, Newcastle fans are hopeful that their team will deliver a standout performance against Manchester United and keep their Champions League dreams alive.
The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for crucial points in the race for European football. With the atmosphere at St James' Park expected to be electric, Newcastle will look to harness the support of their home crowd to propel them to victory.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, all eyes will be on how Newcastle adapts to the challenges ahead, both on the pitch and in the managerial setup. Fans are eager to see if Isak can shine once again and if Gordon can prove his fitness in time for the match. With so much at stake, the Magpies are ready to deliver their best performance yet.
