Manchester United are in desperate need of three points this weekend when they host Newcastle at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have lost their last two Premier League games and their last three in all competitions.
Life under Ruben Amorim has not started in the way they would have wanted it to, and Wolves got the better of them last time out.
It leaves United sitting 14th in the table and closer to the relegation zone than a place in the Champions League spots.
A win is a must, but Newcastle are not a team you want to face at the moment, with Eddie Howe’s side winning their last three with ease.
Man United vs Newcastle: Predicted line-ups
The home side will be missing their captain Bruno Fernandes for this game after he was sent off against Wolves.
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Fernandes is serving a one-match suspension after being given his marching orders at Molineux having picked up two yellow cards.
On top of that, Manuel Ugarte, who has started every league game since the start of December is also banned.
He’s picked up five yellow cards before the threshold changes next week, so he has to sit out at Old Trafford.
It means Amorim is going to have to change his midfield for this game, with Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho potentially coming in.
Casemiro seems the likely replacement for Ugarte in midfield while Garnacho should slot in next to Amad Diallo.
They will be behind Rasmus Hojlund, as Christian Eriksen takes Kobbie Mainoo’s place in a deeper role.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are expected to be at wing-back again, but Leny Yoro could lose his place at centre-back.
The teenager was hooked after an hour against Wolves and Matthijs De Ligt may come in next to Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are out injured while Marcus Rashford remains out of Amorim’s plans.
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As for Newcastle, there’s not much Howe will want to change.
His side have won their last three Premier League games 4-0, 4-0 and 3-0, and they’re showing no signs of stopping.
Martin Dubravka has covered superbly for the injured Nick Pope while a back four of Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall and Valentino Livramento have been brilliant.
Livramento was ill last time out and couldn’t feature, but there will be hopes that he’s back for this game on Monday.
A midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton should keep their place ahead of Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.
And in front of them, the in-form Jacob Murphy will be on the right with Anthony Gordon on the left.
Alexander Isak is, of course, going to lead the line after scoring seven in his last five league games.
Harvey Barnes will be waiting for a start on the bench, while Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are out injured.
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- No team has lost more Premier League games since the start of December than Manchester United (4). They last lost more league games in a single calendar month back in September 1962 (5).
- Newcastle have won their last three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 11-0. They last won four in a row in March/April 2023 (5), while they last did so without conceding in April 2012.
- Manchester United have lost four of their last five Premier League games, going down 3-0 against Bournemouth and 2-0 against Wolves in their last two. The Red Devils haven’t lost three consecutive league games without scoring since May 2015.
Man United vs Newcastle: What has been said?
Amad has shown his dedication to success at Man United by telling Amorim he will play in goal if he has to.
The Ivorian has been deployed in multiple positions this season and he’s willing to step into any place for the team.
He told MUTV: “In football, this can happen. Don’t be focused on only one position.
“Sometimes you can play as a defender, sometimes as a striker. Wherever the manager puts me I’m ready to fight for the team.”
“I just want to play, right wing, number 10, anywhere.
“I say to the manager if you need me as a ‘keeper I’m ready to do my best, I will fight for the team and for my team-mates.
“I want to make history for this club.”
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- Alexander Isak has scored in each of his last five Premier League games, with Joe Willock the last Newcastle player to score in six in a row (a run of seven ending in May 2021). Isak has also scored 24 Premier League goals in 2024, with only Alan Shearer netting more in a calendar year for the Magpies (27 in 2002).
- Manchester United have lost just one of their last 39 home league games against Newcastle (W28 D10), going down 1-0 in December 2013 under David Moyes.
- Newcastle have won two of their last three Premier League games against Manchester United (L1), as many as they had in their previous 16 against them (D4 L10).
Man United vs Newcastle: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, December 30,
Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Existing customers can tune in on TV while fans can sign up to Sky Sports or get a membership with NOW TV here.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
talkSPORT.com will have you covered too, with updates on all the action available in our dedicated live blog here.