United confirm Boxing Day team against Newcastle
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has announced his Manchester United side to play Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
The Reds are at home for the festive Premier League match and there should be a good atmosphere for the visit of former skipper Steve Bruce and his Magpies side.
For the clash, Ole has made two alterations from the team that lost 2-0 to Watford on Sunday, with Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira introduced to the XI.
Speaking to MUTV before the game, Ole explained the double change and his reasons for not including Paul Pogba, who returned from injury at Vicarage Road, from the off.
"Andreas and Mason have done really well and they will give us fresh legs,” he said.
“Paul, I think it is too early to demand too much of him. He has worked really hard because it has been a long lay-off, so we will have to drip-feed him in and gradually play him more and more."
That means David De Gea continues his record of playing every Premier League match so far this season.
Ahead of the keeper, Ole has stuck with the same four who played last time out, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw all starting again.
Scott McTominay and Fred will continue to develop their blossoming relationship in the centre of the park and will be looking to create chances for our attacking players.
On the right of an offensive three behind the striker is Greenwood, who comes in for Wales winger Daniel James, while Andreas is expected to start in the no.10 role.
Marcus Rashford will play off the left and Anthony Martial is the lone striker for the visit of the in-form Magpies.
Ready for a Boxing Day battle
GalleryThe Reds have arrived at Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
THE TEAMS
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire (c), Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Andreas, Rashford; Martial.
Subs: Romero, Jones, Young, Lingard, Mata, Pogba, James.
Newcastle: Dubravka; Schar, Fernandez, Lejeune; Manquillo, S. Longstaff, M. Longstaff, Almiron, Willems; Joelinton, Gayle.
Subs: Darlow, Hayden, Krafth, Yedlin, Atsu, Shelvey, Carroll.
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.