Manchester United vs Newcastle United – Match Preview and Team News | OneFootball

The Premier League offers a solitary but significant gift to football fans this Boxing Day as Manchester United host Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim’s side are aiming to recover from a damaging 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. Crucially, that result was compounded by a hamstring injury to captain Bruno Fernandes, who will miss the festive period.

They face an inconsistency-plagued Newcastle side that surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Chelsea last time out. Consequently, the Magpies are stuck in 11th place. With United sitting seventh and just three points ahead of their opponents, this clash carries significant weight in the battle for European places.

Manchester United vs Newcastle United – Match Preview and Team News

Team News

Manchester United

Ruben Amorim has confirmed a major blow: captain Bruno Fernandes will miss out with a soft-tissue injury sustained at Villa Park. Additionally, Kobbie Mainoo is sidelined with a calf problem. However, Casemiro returns from suspension to fill the void in midfield. He will likely partner Lisandro Martínez, who could be pushed forward from defence. The squad is further depleted by the Africa Cup of Nations departures of Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Bryan Mbeumo.

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe admitted there is a “chance” goalkeeper Nick Pope could return from a groin injury to replace Aaron Ramsdale, though it remains a late call. However, the Magpies remain in the grip of a defensive crisis. Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman, and Jamaal Lascelles are all unavailable. Midfielder Joelinton is battling to be fit, while Anthony Elanga is unlikely to start against his former club.

Form

Manchester United

The Red Devils enter this fixture with a daunting psychological hurdle to clear. They have failed to win any of their last seven Premier League games without Bruno Fernandes in the starting lineup, losing six of those. While United hold the record for the most Premier League wins on Boxing Day (22), recent history is less kind. They have lost their last three matches played between Christmas and New Year.

Newcastle United

Newcastle arrive at Old Trafford seeking to replicate last season’s success, where they completed a league double over United. However, they have not won consecutive league visits to the Theatre of Dreams since 1935. Eddie Howe’s side have conceded in each of their last nine league games, but they possess a lethal weapon in Nick Woltemade. The German striker has seven league goals in his debut season.

Predicted Lineups

Manchester United predicted XI: Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Martínez, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Šeško

Newcastle United predicted XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon

How to watch Manchester United vs Newcastle United?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 19:30 GMT.

Read- Every Premier League title winner who was outside the top four at Christmas

See more- Where every team top of the Premier League at Christmas finished the season

Subscribe to our social channels:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube