Steve Bruce reverted to a flat back four as he set about doing things "his way" against Arsenal.
The Toon boss started the game with Andy Carroll and Callum Wilson in attack with skipper Jamaal Lascelles returning to the line-up after being rested.
Jamal Lewis and Emil Krafth were also back in the starting X1 while Jonjo Shelvey stepped back into the team at the expense of Sean Longstaff.
Bruce did pick his younger brother Matty Longstaff while Joelinton and Miguel Almiron were also included.
In total Bruce made eight changes with the likes of Jeff Hendrick, Isaac Hayden and DeAndre Yedlin all axed.
UNITED : Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Shelvey, Matty Longstaff, Almiron, Joelinton, Carroll, Wilson
Subs : Dubravka, Ritchie, Hayden, Hendrick, Manquillo, Yedlin, Murphy, S Longstaff, Anderson
