Newcastle - MU: Two Opposing Worlds at St James' Park

MU and Newcastle are currently in two opposing worlds this season. As MU marches to St James' Park with belief in their performance and hopes of a Champions League return, the narrative for the home side is only shaded in gloom.

Winning 6 of their last 7 Premier League matches has made the atmosphere at Old Trafford more buoyant than ever. Michael Carrick's team sits in 3rd place with 51 points. The Red half of Manchester's fans could hardly have imagined this scenario looking at the instability created by predecessor Ruben Amorim in the first half of the season.

MU Soaring, Sesko Reborn

One of the most stark contrasts between Amorim's MU and Carrick's MU lies in the striker position. Amorim appeared helpless with Benjamin Sesko, the £73 million signing from Leipzig in the summer transfer window. The Portuguese coach bitterly admitted Sesko struggled to adapt to the Premier League. This wasn't wrong, as the Slovenian forward scored only 2 goals in 17 appearances under Amorim.

But Sesko under Carrick is a completely different version. He has scored 7 goals in his last 8 appearances. More notably, the match against Crystal Palace last weekend was his first start under the 44-year-old manager. What Sesko did in that match was score the winning goal for MU. That goal marked his third consecutive match scoring for the Red half of Manchester. That alone earned Sesko positive reviews from Carrick: "We worked with Sesko and built relationships and trust for him. He is a good player, possesses notable strengths, and scores goals in different ways. He is a threat to opposing defenses."

It's no exaggeration to say Sesko's scoring form is propelling MU back into the Top 4 race. His goals against Burnley, Fulham, West Ham, Everton, and Crystal Palace have earned MU 8 points. Without those points, Carrick's team might have been outside the Top 6. Now, the Red half of Manchester's fans can rightfully dream of MU returning to the Champions League for the first time in 3 years. So, what's the secret to Sesko's rapid return to form? Part of it comes from the Slovenian striker's regained confidence. Additionally, Carrick and his staff have designed a style of play that maximizes Sesko's strengths. The crosses from the wingers have been aimed more frequently at the Slovenian forward, allowing him to exploit his effectiveness in the opponent's penalty area.

Newcastle Sliding in Disappointment

While MU is soaring with renewed hope under Carrick, Newcastle currently faces a grim reality. The 2-3 loss to Everton last weekend was their 5th defeat in the last 6 Premier League rounds. It has pushed Eddie Howe's side down to the bottom half of the table. The gap from 13th-placed Newcastle to 4th-placed Aston Villa is now 15 points. It's becoming difficult for Howe's team to envision a Champions League spot for next season based on domestic performance. Their path in this season's Champions League looks even tougher as they face a two-legged Round of 16 tie against Barcelona.

More worryingly, if Newcastle misses out on the Champions League next season, the risk of a talent exodus from St James' Park is very real. They already lost striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer after succumbing to the Swedish forward's demands. So, which Newcastle faces are in the sights of the big clubs this summer? Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali are likely candidates to follow Isak out of St James' Park. Gordon is showing impressive form in the Champions League with 10 goals in 10 appearances. The 25-year-old forward could certainly be tempted again by enticing offers from a bigger club, after a potential move to Liverpool collapsed last summer. Tonali is another who might seek a move to a more ambitious destination. The Italian midfielder's form hasn't suffered despite his 10-month ban for football betting violations. Arsenal is reportedly ready to consider Tonali as a solution to add depth to their midfield next season.

The clash at St James' Park tonight will witness a reversal of fortunes between the two teams. MU, emerging from the darkness of the Amorim era, is ready to reclaim its status as a giant under Carrick. As for Newcastle? They should prepare for a summer of significant upheaval starting now.