Boxing Day isn’t quite the same this year with only one Premier League clash taking place but what a clash it is featuring two teams needing a victory.
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have improved this season but a 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth before a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last week has stunted their recent progress.
Newcastle head to Manchester on the back of giving up a 2-0 lead against Chelsea to draw 2-2 at St James’ Park. The Magpies haven’t enjoyed back-to-back victories since late-October.
There has only been one 0-0 draw (October 2022) in this fixture across the last 15 seasons!
MORE: What is the 50/1 Sky Bet Man United vs Newcastle offer?
Can Man United get a feel-good festive win? AllSportsPeople brings you our latest football tips for this match, as well as how to claim 50/1 for over 0.5 goals on Sky Bet or Paddy Power's dual offer - 50/1 for United and 80/1 for Newcastle to win.
Manchester United vs. Newcastle Prediction: Who Will Win?
Newcastle have been one of the most efficient and effective counter-attacking sides in the country in the last couple of years.
Man United’s attacking improvement this season has often been let down by being far too open defensively and caught in transition, especially in that 4-4 draw with the Cherries.
They have remained entertaining to watch, though, with their 17 matches so far this season having produced an average of 3.47 goals per game.
Given United's AFCON absentees and a hamstring injury for talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes, we're backing Newcastle to win what should be a good watch for the neutral.
Score Prediction: Man United 1-2 Newcastle (10/1 with Bet365)
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Head-to-Head: Man United vs. Newcastle
- The most recent outing between these two sides came back in April as Newcastle hammered Amorim’s wayward United 4-1 at St James’ Park.
- Newcastle did the double over United last season in the Premier League and they have won five of their last six encounters between the two sides.
- Overall, the two teams have clashed on 183 occasions with Manchester United coming out on top 92 times and Newcastle winning 48 of those matches.
Man United vs. Newcastle: Form Guide
Man United – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
- Manchester United 4-4 AFC Bournemouth (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
- Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United (Premier League)
Newcastle – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Newcastle United 2-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Newcastle United 2-1 Fulham (EFL Cup)
- Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle United (Premier League)
- Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle United (UEFA Champions League)
- Newcastle United 2-1 Burnley (Premier League)
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Man United vs. Newcastle Betting Tips
Newcastle have proven capable of raising their game to a new level when it comes to playing against some of the so-called ‘bigger teams’ in the Premier League and in Europe.
One man that stands out in that regard in particular is Anthony Gordon, who put in arguably his best performance this season against Chelsea as the England international seeks to cement himself in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Backing Gordon to score or assist, as he did for Nick Woltemade’s second against Chelsea last week, would appear a good shout with best odds for that of 7/5 with Paddy Power.
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Man United vs. Newcastle Team News
Man United Team News
- United are dealing with absentees away at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations as key men Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are away representing Morocco, the Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively.
- Bruno Fernandes picked up an injury against Villa to join defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt on the treatment table.
- Kobbie Mainoo is also dealing with an unspecified injury issue.
Newcastle Team News
- Nick Pope has been injured for a while, with Aaron Ramsdale playing ahead of him, but the former Burnley goalkeeping is nearing a return.
- They do have a few confirmed injury absentees for this one, such as centre-backs Dan Burn and Sven Botman as well as full-back Tino Livramento.
- Lewis Miley has been keeping Joelinton out of the side in the middle of the park but the youngster filled in adeptly at right-back against Chelsea.
Man United vs. Newcastle Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will lineup at the Old Trafford, with Amorim expected to field Ugarte and Casemiro as his midfield pairing without key man Fernandes. Lisandro Martinez performed admirably in midfield at Villa so is the other option.
Man United predicted lineup to play Newcastle
Lammens (GK) – Yoro, Heaven, Shaw – Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu – Cunha, Mount – Sesko
- Out: De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui, Diallo, Fernandes, Mainoo, Mbeumo
- Doubtful: N/A
Newcastle predicted lineup to play Man United
Ramsdale (GK) – Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall – Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
- Out: Botman, Lascelles, Burn, Trippier, Livramento, Krafth, Osula
- Doubtful: Pope
- Suspension: N/A
Man United vs. Newcastle Odds
- Man United to win: 148/100 with 10Bet
- Newcastle to win: 9/5 with Paddy Power
- Draw: 27/10 with Ladbrokes
Bet Builder Tips: Man United vs. Newcastle
Our bet builder for Man United vs. Newcastle backs the visitors to win and both teams to score, Anthony Gordon to score or assist in the game and Diogo Dalot to be commit two or more fouls, which came to overall best odds of 22/1 with Bet365 at the time of writing.
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How to watch: Man United vs. Newcastle Live Stream, TV Channel
- Date: Friday, December 26
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester England
- Time: 20:00 GMT
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports / Sky Go