Manchester United will host Newcastle United at Old Trafford this Boxing Day in a key Premier League match.
United are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last week. The situation worsened with captain Bruno Fernandes suffering a hamstring injury, ruling him out for the festive season.
Newcastle comes into this match after letting a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea. Currently, they sit in 11th place, while United, in seventh, are just three points ahead. This makes the upcoming match crucial for European qualification hopes.
Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Friday, 26 December 2025
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- VAR: Stuart Attwell
- Last Meeting: Newcastle 4-1 Manchester United, 13 April 2025, Premier League
Team News
Manchester United
Coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will miss the game due to his injury. Kobbie Mainoo is also sidelined with a calf issue. Casemiro returns from suspension and is expected to play in midfield alongside Lisandro Martínez, who might shift from defense. The squad is further affected by the departures for the Africa Cup of Nations, including Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Bryan Mbeumo.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe mentioned that goalkeeper Nick Pope may return from a groin injury, but it will be a late decision. The team faces a defensive crisis, with Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Sven Botman, and Jamaal Lascelles all out. Midfielder Joelinton is uncertain, and Anthony Elanga is unlikely to start against his former club.
Form
Manchester United
United has a challenging record to overcome as they have not won any of their last seven league games without Bruno Fernandes, losing six. Although they hold the record for the most Premier League wins on Boxing Day, recent form has seen them lose their last three Christmas-to-New Year matches.
Newcastle United
Newcastle aims to replicate last season’s success, where they won both league matches against United. However, they haven’t achieved back-to-back wins at Old Trafford since 1935. Despite conceding in their last nine league games, they have Nick Woltemade, who has scored seven goals in his first season.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United predicted XI: Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Martínez, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Šeško
Newcastle United predicted XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
How to watch Manchester United vs Newcastle United?
The match will be live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 19:30 GMT.
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