Alexander Isak will not be involved for Newcastle at Old Trafford
(Picture: Getty Images)Eddie Howe has confirmed Alexander Isak will not be available for Newcastle this weekend as they travel to face Manchester United.
The Magpies are in good form ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, scoring nine goals across their last two matches as they sit sixth in the Premier League, with their only defeat of the season coming at Anfield when Fabio Carvalho struck an 98th-minute winner.
Isak, a £60million arrival in the summer, has not been involved in the club’s recent goalscoring form, missing the wins over Fulham and Brentford with a thigh injury that was picked up while on international duty with Sweden.
No timeline has been put on the striker’s return to fitness, but he has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash.
“Alex Isak is making progress but he’s not available for this game and no new injuries at the moment,” Howe said.
“Slow progress for Emil Krafth - it’s a serious injury. He is back in Sweden at the moment in the early stages of his rehab.”
Victory at Old Trafford would take Newcastle above United in the table, though they have played a game more than their opponents.
Howe is expecting a tough test for his side, believing things will come good for Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman’s difficult start to life as United boss.
“I think whenever there is change it is difficult,” Howe said.
“It can either go really well at the start or you can find it difficult, but I think they have got top quality players and manager and things start to gel.
“Technically, they are excellent players and very creative. We know it is a huge part of their team, they have world-class players in every game but when you look back to our games against Manchester City and Liverpool we have given a really good account of ourselves and were unlucky to not get more points.
“This is in the same bracket as that.”
