Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United will host Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United on Boxing Day hoping to close the gap on their top four rivals in the Premier League.
The two teams come into the fixture level on points and separated by only goal difference, as Newcastle United overcame their early-season malaise to sit comfortably in the 9th position on the table, while the Red Devils have continued their indifferent form and are just one place above their opponents for Thursday.
The Red half of Manchester flattered to deceive in their last outing, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat bottom-placed Watford at Vicarage Road, while the Magpies made it three wins from four in a gritty 1-0 triumph over South London outfit Crystal Palace.
The only possible positive from the defeat against Watford over the weekend was the appearance of French midfielder Paul Pogba from the bench, as the World Cup winner made his first appearance for the Red Devils since the end of September. The 26-year-old midfield ace is arguably the best player in the Manchester United squad and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be pleased to call upon his services in the game against Newcastle United.
Elsewhere, there quite a handful of defensive injuries for Solskjaer to worry about, with Ivorian Eric Bailly close to a return from his knee surgery, while Italian wing-back Diego Dalot (groin) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (cruciate ligament) are also ruled out of the clash.
Manchester United Starting Eleven Prediction – David de Gea; Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Fred, Scott McTomminay, Paul Pogba; Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Daniel James
