The holiday period has once more brought nothing but disappointment for Manchester United, who have endured four Premier League losses in December. With the Red Devils languishing in an alarmingly low 14th place in the standings, head coach Ruben Amorim’s claim that his team needs to “survive” left fans questioning whether he was alluding to their present struggles or the entire season!
His urgency is hardly shocking, considering that the five losses Amorim has encountered in his initial ten matches mark the highest for any new United manager since Walter Crickmer in 1932. The team is also on the brink of losing five league matches within the same calendar month for the first time in over 62 years. Despite contrasting performances, Newcastle’s visit might be exactly what the Red Devils require, having lost only one of their last 39 league encounters at home (W28, D10).
Despite their historical challenges, Newcastle head to Old Trafford as slight favourites, buoyed by an impressive streak that has seen them triumph in their last three league matches with a combined score of 11-0. Their emphatic 3-0 victory over a ten-man Aston Villa on Boxing Day was particularly noteworthy, propelling the Magpies into the top five and reigniting their hopes for a UEFA Champions League spot.
Eddie Howe’s team is in formidable form, and securing a fourth consecutive clean-sheet victory would be their first such series of four top-flight wins ‘to nil’ since April 2012. Although traditionally they have found it difficult at this ground, Newcastle have emerged victorious in two of their last three league encounters with Manchester United (L1), matching the number of wins they achieved in the preceding 16 fixtures (D4, L10).
Key players to monitor: With midfield duo Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte absent due to suspensions, Casemiro may be set for a return. He will aim to steer clear of a yellow card, having been cautioned in all previous four head-to-head encounters. Anthony Gordon, who scored a stunning goal against Aston Villa on Thursday and netted in both matchups last season, could become the first Newcastle player in Premier League history to score in three consecutive games against Manchester United.
Interesting statistic: Following their loss in the final league match of 2023, Manchester United might finish a second consecutive calendar year with a defeat, a situation not seen since 1986.
