Howe eager to end 2024 on a high for Newcastle at Old Trafford

Eddie Howe is eager for his Newcastle United players to keep the feel-good factor alive by ending 2024 on a high away at Manchester United.

Newcastle have won four games in a row in all competitions, three of those in the Premier League to climb up to fifth place.

That form is in stark contrast to Monday’s opponents Manchester United, who have lost three in a row and are down in 14th after 18 matches.

In what had been an up-and-down campaign for Newcastle prior to this run, Howe now wants to see the wins keep on coming.

“We’re shooting for whatever we can shoot for,” he said when asked if a top-four finish was his aim.

“We’ll take small steps, we’ll go game-by-game, but I’m really heartened by how the team is playing.

“It’s a great thing for us that we’re ending the year on a high. This game is all about momentum and it’s all about confidence.

“It’s all about the players believing how good they can be. Hopefully, we go into the New Year in a better place with the squad.”

Murph x Alex Isak

Different game. Same link up. pic.twitter.com/OMhZf7dtKZ

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 27, 2024

Ruben Amorim has not enjoyed much of a honeymoon period since succeeding Erik ten Hag, losing half of his 10 games in charge so far.

The Portuguese accepts he is already under pressure to turn things around, but knows that another tough game awaits at Old Trafford.

“We have to fight against everything, because our supporters are always there,” he said. “But they are tired of this moment.

“We have to expect that any play from Newcastle near our box is going to make the stadium nervous and our players have to cope with that.

“It is a very strong team, very fast, with a lot of pace and a lot of time with the same coach. We want to be competitive and try to win the game.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester United – Christian Eriksen

Captain Bruno Fernandes is suspended for this game after being sent off against Wolves, so Eriksen – a second-half substitute in that most recent loss – could come into the starting line-up.

Eriksen has yet to score or assist in 10 Premier League games this season, while he has just one goal involvement against Wolves in seven previous meetings, so those are records that clearly needs improving on.

Back at home for the final time in 2024 #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/pMXAG2A10p

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 28, 2024

Newcastle United – Anthony Gordon

Alexander Isak is very much the man of the moment for Newcastle, but Gordon has a goal involvement in each of his last four games in all competitions.

The forward also scored home and away against Man United in the Premier League last season – no Newcastle player has ever scored in three consecutive appearances against them in the competition.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Man United have lost four Premier League games since the start of December – no team has lost more, while they last tasted defeat in more league matches in a calendar month in September 1962 (five).

Not since May 2015, meanwhile, have United lost three straight league matches without scoring since May 2015.

That is something Newcastle will look to take advantage of, having themselves won their past three league matches by an aggregate scoreline of 11-0.

However, Newcastle have not won their final league game in any of the last seven calendar years since a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Championship.

The Magpies have also won just one of their past 39 away league games against Man United, with that solitary victory coming in December 2013.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester United – 36.4%
Newcastle United – 38%
Draw – 25.6%