Manchester United and Newcastle will be hoping for a Christmas boost as they battle on Boxing Day.
It is a lighter portion of top-flight festive football than usual, with a full slate of weekend action leaving this as the sole Premier League fixture on Friday. It is nevertheless an intriguing encounter between two sides experiencing not dissimilar seasons plagued by inconsistency.
Hosts Manchester United begin the evening three points ahead of their visitors and eyeing a spot in the top five with victory. They were beaten at Aston Villa last Sunday, though, and will be tested by the absence of Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder suffered a soft-tissue issue in that game. Can Newcastle take advantage? Eddie Howe’s side have endured a frustrating run and need three points to keep in touch with the pack in the chase for European places.
Follow all of the latest from the Premier League clash with our live blog below:
Why is there only one Premier League game on Boxing Day?
How to replace Bruno Fernandes? This is why Man United are in a mess of their own making
Eddie Howe calls on Newcastle owners to end ‘limbo’ over stadium plans
Manchester United vs Newcastle live
- Manchester United host Newcastle in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports with kick off at 8pm GMT
- Hosts are without Bruno Fernandes due to injury
- Old Trafford clash is sole Premier League fixture on Boxing Day
Eddie Howe reveals Nick Pope could return for Old Trafford trip
18:10 , Jamie BraidwoodNewcastle have suffered an injury pile-up in defence, with Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman all missing.
Eddie Howe did reveal, however, that Nick Pope could return for the Old Trafford trip. Aaron Ramsdale has been filling in over the past few weeks.
"There's a chance,” Howe said on Wednesday. “He hasn't trained yet but we hope he might train today so let's see how he does."
Ruben Amorim urges Manchester United teammates to step up without Bruno Fernandes
17:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleManchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted it is impossible to replace injured captain Bruno Fernandes but has called on other players to step up in his absence.
"It is impossible to replace Bruno but I said that this morning to the team," said the United boss.
"We need to take the good thing - if there is a good thing on that - that a lot of people need to step up and understand we cannot rely on one player for everything.
"Sometimes we rely on Bruno for organisation and the creation. We have lost Bruno on set-pieces, Bryan (Mbeumo) and Amad (Diallo) on set-pieces, so this is massive for the team.
"But it is an opportunity for other players to step up and show the leadership that we need in the team."
Eddie Howe calls on Newcastle owners to end ‘limbo’ over stadium plans
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleNewcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted the club is in limbo as long as its stadium and training ground plans remain unresolved.
The Magpies' Saudi-backed owners are currently assessing their options over whether to redevelop St James' Park or move to a new site as they attempt to boost commercial revenue, while behind the scenes, a training base which has been vastly improved remains inferior to those of many of their competitors.
Asked to identify how the club could move forward in the years ahead, Howe said: "Fundamentally looking at the club with a broader view, you look at the training ground, stadium - that part of the club is in limbo at the moment.”
Eddie Howe calls on Newcastle owners to end ‘limbo’ over stadium plans
Ruben Amorim insists Kobbie Mainoo is ‘the future of Manchester United’ despite limited role
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt will not be Kobbie Mainoo in the Manchester United midfield today as he’s nursing a calf problem. Mainoo does not appear a favourite at all of Ruben Amorim’s, but the manager has still backed the youngster to play a huge role for the club in the future.
Amorim insists Mainoo is ‘the future of Manchester United’ despite limited role
How to replace Bruno Fernandes? This is why Man United are in a mess of their own making
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe solution for replacing Bruno Fernandes is not obvious - which, Richard Jolly writes, is down to Manchester United’s lack of foresight:
How to replace Bruno Fernandes? This is why Man Utd are in a mess of their own making
Ruben Amorim offers latest Bruno Fernandes injury update after fears of serious issue
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleManchester United will be without Bruno Fernandes today, and perhaps for a little while, too - the midfielder is sidelined by an injury but Ruben Amorim is hopeful it is not a serious one:
Ruben Amorim offers latest Bruno Fernandes injury update
Why is there only one Premier League game on Boxing Day?
17:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleUsed to gorging on a full spread of festive Premier League football? News of just one Boxing Day game may come as a surprise but you can understand the scheduling somewhat, as Jamie Braidwood explains:
Why is there only one Premier League game on Boxing Day?
Manchester United vs Newcastle
16:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe festive season is a time of excess for many, but it’s a slimmed-down schedule of Boxing Day action for the Premier League this year. A full weekend of fixtures is to follow but there is just this game under the Friday night lights to tuck into today, with Manchester United welcoming Newcastle to Old Trafford looking to climb into the top five.
Kick off is at 8pm GMT.
