Man Utd plans for Newcastle clash thrown into chaos hours before kick-off

Man Utd flight cancelled in huge blow for crucial Newcastle clash hours before kick-off

The cold weather has forced Manchester United to make major changes to their travel plans for their trip to Newcastle, with Erik ten Hag's side looking to bounce back from a draw with Galatasaray

Manchester United's flight to Newcastle has been cancelled because of the cold weather, with Erik ten Hag's squad now taking a three-hour coach to their game on Saturday evening instead.

The Red Devils travel to the Magpies for a crucial clash in the Premier League. They are looking to bounce back from a draw with Galatasaray in midweek, which has left their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League hanging by a thread.

But before they take to the pitch at St James' Park, Ten Hag's squad face an arduous journey on two coaches, that is expected to take more than three hours. The team had arrived to drop their cars off at Manchester Airport from 10.00am, but were told they were instead driving to the North East.

Temperatures in Manchester dipped below -5 degrees Celsius overnight, with the Met Office issuing another yellow warning for snow and ice on Saturday morning. Nine football matches in the Scottish leagues have been postponed due to the freezing temperatures, with Crewe's FA Cup clash against Bristol Rovers and the full racing schedule at Newcastle also called off.

An amber cold-health alert has also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for five regions in England. The alert is in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber until 5 December, with cold weather is likely to affect the whole health service, according to the agency.

Boss Ten Hag is desperate for his side to claim a positive result on Saturday, with a win able to take them into fifth place. The Magpies won the corresponding fixture last season, with the United boss cautioning his side to expect a tough test.

HAVE YOUR SAY! What should be Manchester United's team against Newcastle? Comment below.

"It is a really difficult team to play so I meant it in a very positive way because I respect what they are doing. They are physical, they are very good in transitions and very organised in the pressing. They are doing a great job there and I like to play against them," he said.

''We played very good [on Wednesday]. In Copenhagen, we played very good and, even in Bayern Munich, we played very good. We have to do some things better, eliminating individual errors. Also things in the transition, but we can sort this out. I would be more concerned if we didn't play that well.'

''I really respect them as it is a difficult team to play against. It is a good challenge and I like to play against them because, in the challenge, we have to rise to the occasion. We have to be at our best against them because as I say, the way they play, I think is very good and very organised.''

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