How to follow Newcastle v United

It's a rare Boxing Day off for the Reds, as we will play on Monday instead, travelling north-east for an evening encounter with Newcastle United.

Ahead of our first game in more than a fortnight, here's everything you need to know...

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE MATCH?

The game at St. James’ Park kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Monday 27 December and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. MUTV's coverage will begin when Matchday Live goes on air at 18:55 GMT - the show will include pre-match build-up, live match radio commentary and post-match analysis. Alternatively, you can follow the game with live updates via ManUtd.com and our Official App.

TEAM NEWS

Carrington, the club's training ground, has reopened after being closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, with players and staff making a staggered return this week. We're therefore anticipating several key updates in the manager’s press conference. Tune in from 15:30 GMT on MUTV, ManUtd.com or our Official App to hear Ralf’s team news.

For Newcastle, Federico Fernandez has been ruled out of the whole Christmas period with a thigh injury, as has Jamal Lewis, with a hamstring injury. Isaac Hayden is suspended for this match after picking up five yellow cards. Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey will face a late fitness test.

Eddie Howe will welcome Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth back into the team, the pair having been unavailable recently due to non-COVID related illnesses.

FORM GUIDE

The postponement of our games against Brentford (scheduled for Tuesday 14 December) and Brighton & Hove Albion (Saturday 18 December) due to COVID-19 outbreaks means the Reds have not been in action since mustering a dogged victory over Norwich City to extend the club’s unbeaten run in all competitions to six games. Crucially, it was also a second consecutive clean sheet. Cristiano Ronaldo emphatically converted a 75th-minute penalty which he had won himself to give the Reds a narrow victory.

Newcastle United’s form has come under greater scrutiny since the club’s ownership changed hands. Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce as manager but has overseen just the one victory, a 1-0 home win against Burnley on 4 December.

Since then, the Magpies have suffered three comprehensive defeats against quality opposition, conceding 11 goals in three games against Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City. Going into this set of games, Newcastle sit 19th in the Premier League, level on points with bottom-placed Norwich City but leading on goal difference.

THE MANAGER

Eddie Howe made a lasting impression on English football when he mastered two promotions in three seasons with AFC Bournemouth, bringing the south-coast club to the Premier League.

That achievement saw him named Football League Manager of the Decade in 2015 and led to calls for Howe to be made England manager or be given a job at one of the country’s elite clubs. Bournemouth were eventually relegated under Howe’s leadership in 2020 and he subsequently resigned.

After 15 months away from management, the 44-year-old returned to the game by taking on the Newcastle job in early November 2021, replacing Steve Bruce.

Howe has faced the Reds on 10 occasions as a manager, winning two of those matches while in charge of Bournemouth.

RECENT MEETINGS

Our last meeting against Newcastle was marked by Ronaldo’s goalscoring return to the club. The no.7 had completed his transfer from Juventus at the end of August, and netted twice on 11 September in a 4-1 romp over the Magpies at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard scored the other goals, with Javier Manquillo having originally equalised for the visitors early in the second half.

That was our fourth successive win over Newcastle, three of which have finished with 4-1 scorelines, the other (in February 2021) ending 3-1. However, the Tyneside club have managed a couple of notable home wins in recent times, winning 1-0 at St. James’ Park in October 2019 and February 2018.

KEY STATS

While we play on 27 December this year, Boxing Day meetings with the Magpies are hardly rare. Our most recent was in 2019 when Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford added to an Anthony Martial double in a 4-1 win. We also played on the same day in 2014 - a 3-1 win with a brace from Wayne Rooney - and 2012 - a humdinger of a match that ended in a 4-3 victory thanks to Javier Hernandez’s 90th-minute winner.

The last time we played against Newcastle on 27 December itself was in 1995. Andy Cole opened the scoring early on and Roy Keane wrapped up an important victory with a 53rd-minute goal at Old Trafford.

This will be our 173rd competitive match against Newcastle United. We’ve won 90 games, drawn 39 and lost 43.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Darren Cann
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER
Liverpool v Leeds - Postponed
Wolves v Watford - Postponed
Burnley v Everton - Postponed
Man City v Leicester
Norwich v Arsenal
Tottenham v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Southampton
Aston Villa v Chelsea (17:30 GMT)
Brighton v Brentford (17:30 GMT)

All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated.

MONDAY 27 DECEMBER
Newcastle v UNITED (20:00 GMT)