Newcastle vs Man Utd: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United travel north to Newcastle on Monday night as they look to make up ground on their top-four rivals.
The Red Devils have had their last two games postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak within the squad, even forcing the temporary closure of their Carrington training ground.
But the first team returned to training last week and are raring to go, and United face a Newcastle side in dire need of points in their fight for Premier League survival.
Eddie Howe's side have won just one of their 18 league games so far this season, yet are only three points from safety.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Steve Bruce were in the dugout the last time these sides met, but things are pretty different now. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this one...
How to watch Newcastle vs Man Utd on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Monday 27 December, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? St James' Park
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fubo TV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube
Referee? Craig Pawson
VAR? Jarred Gillett
Newcastle team news
After picking up his fifth booking of the season last time out against Man City, Isaac Hayden is suspended.
Jonjo Shelvey, Jamal Lewis aand Federico Fernandez are all expected to miss out with muscle problems, but there could be returns for Emil Krafth and Paul Dummett.
You can read Newcastle's predicted lineup here.
Man Utd team news
Ralf Rangnick is hopeful of having a near-full strength squad available for selection.
Paul Pogba isn't expected to return to action until January, while Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial are doubtful with knee injuries, but Raphael Varane could return following a hamstring problem.
United have not issued any fresh updates on Victor Lindelof's condition after being substituted last time out against Norwich due to breathing difficulties, though insisted this was not Covid-related.
You can read Man Utd's predicted lineup here.
Newcastle vs Man Utd head-to-head record
Newcastle and Man Utd are meeting for the 173rd time on Monday evening, with the Red Devils triumphing 90 times compared to the Magpies' 43 wins.
Man Utd have scored 112 Premier League goals against Newcastle - no other side has scored more against a single opponent, with Arsenal tying that amount at the expense of Everton.
15 of those goals have come in United's last four games against the Tyneside outfit, winning each of those four meetings since a 1-0 defeat at St James' Park at the beginning of 2019/20.
Newcastle vs Man Utd score prediction
Recent Covid troubles have prevented Rangnick's United from building the momentum they need in the hunt for a Champions League place and have had to watch on as Arsenal and Tottenham strengthened their credentials.
But the Red Devils couldn't have asked for a much friendlier fixture to return to the pitch - Newcastle are low on confidence, in a terrible run of form, and realistically shouldn't come close to upsetting their visitors on Monday.
Put your house/FPL fortunes on Cristiano Ronaldo running the show again.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Man Utd