Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is facing a fresh selection dilemma with Matt Targett now pushing for a start ahead of Saturday's trip to the Etihad Stadium.
The cornerstone for success this season has definitely been Howe's back five of Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn. Burn has played above and beyond anyone's expectations as a centre-back shunted on to the left-hand side of the defence.
An iconic picture of the back five celebrating a victory in the first half of the season went viral earlier in the season. However, opponents have now started to pick holes and look for a way through that defensive rearguard in recent weeks.
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Burn has been solid but Targett, fit again after a heel injury, offers more mobility on the left-hand side. Howe's dilemma though is not so straight-forward.
As one of the dressing room's key members of his leadership group, Burn has almost been a vice-captain at United behind Kieran Trippier. He has been the man sent out to speak to the Press this season and he's been one of the main talkers on the field.
The 2-0 defeat at Wembley saw Man United's Antony perform some showboating down the flank and weaved around the Blyth-born player a couple of times to the delight of the Old Trafford faithful. That moment seemed to form a lot of opinions on Burn's performance beneath the Wembley arch.
Although, it is worth looking behind that single moment against Man United with Burn also getting in some important defensive contributions. The 6ft 7in defender also didn't go missing in terms of organising the defence with Sven Botman not enjoying his best hour and Fabian Schar left dazed and wounded.
Burn tried to reset the tone for Newcastle in the second half and boomed out the instructions, even booting over a Sky Sports microphone in defiance before lobbing a throw-in in the box at one stage. After the game, he accepted it wasn't his or Newcastle's day in the capital.
Howe, who is getting the Magpies ready to play on another huge surface at the Etihad this weekend, must decide whether it is a straight swap bringing Targett back in for Burn. Or restoring Burn to his centre-back position and giving either Botman or Schar a rest.
It isn't his only selection poser against Man City with a decision to be made on 4-4-2 or -4-3-3 and his midfield personnel with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton ending the game in the middle at Wembley on Sunday. Then there his choices in attack, play either Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak or give them a chance as partners in crime through the middle.
Isak was full of running against Man United but didn't get a touch near the final third and didn't manage a shot at goal in his 45 minute cameo. Wilson couldn't buy a clear-cut opportunity but the service was poor all round.
Whatever decisions Newcastle make they go in against a Man City team that have won all five of their home games in 2023 so far in all competitions and only Everton have halted them at home in the Premier League with a draw this term.
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