Newcastle v Manchester United: match preview
Manchester United’s Ralf Rangnick has experienced something like a Christmas miracle: from having 11 players in total available last week (including three goalkeepers), he now has an almost fully fit squad to select from, with the sole exception of Paul Pogba. That means 25 outfield players are ready to go, Rangnick said – bad news for Eddie Howe and Newcastle in their hunt for a second Premier League win.
In his own pre-match press conference Howe harked back to the eras of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson, urging his players to recreate that “attacking verve and swagger”. But those vibrant times seem a long way away, with a relegation dogfight to look forward to in the new year. Luke McLaughlin
Monday 8pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 1 Manchester United 4
Odds H 6-1 A 4-9 D 7-2
Referee Craig Pawson
This season G10 Y36 R1 3.80 cards/ game
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Darlow, Gillespie, Langley, Woodman, Clark, Shelvey, Hendrick, Krafth, Manquillo, Fraser, Anderson, Gayle
Doubtful Krafth (illness), Manquillo (illness), Shelvey (knock)
Injured Lewis (hamstring, 15 Jan), Fernández (thigh, Feb), Dummett (calf, unknown)
Suspended Hayden (one match) Form LDWLLL
Discipline Y43 R2
Leading scorer Wilson 6 MANCHESTER UNITED
Subs from Grant, Heaton, Henderson, Lindelöf, Bailly, Jones, Mata, Martial, Greenwood, Lingard, Diallo, Cavani, Wan-Bissaka, Matic, Van de Beek, Elanga, Mengi, Mejbri, Shoretire Doubtful None
Injured Pogba (thigh, unknown) Suspended None
Form LLDWWW
Discipline Y36 R2
Leading scorer Ronaldo 7