Premier League team news as Marcus Rashford returns to the squad

Manchester United host Newcastle United in Premier League this evening, with the home side desperate for three points as they look to climb from 14th in the table.

Reuben Amorims side have slumped to embarrassing defeats to Bournemouth and Wolves over the last two games, and the Portuguese has just two wins in the league so far in his tenure.

And United face a Newcastle side who have found form in recent weeks, with back-to-back 4-0 wins followed by a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last time out.

After a mixed start to the season, the Magpies find themselves in seventh place before kick-off, with the potential to move up to fifth if they grab three points tonight.

And with both sides’ recent form, Newcastle have rarely had a better chance of picking up a first league win at Old Trafford since 2013.

Follow all the latest updates from Old Trafford below:

Man Utd v Newcastle LIVE

• Manchester United host Newcastle in the Premier League with kick-off at 20:00 | Live on Sky Sports

• Ruben Amorim’s side are in 14th place with eight losses so far this season

• The Magpies have risen to fifth in the league after three big wins

• Manchester United XI: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Dalot; Diallo, Zirkzee, Højlund.

• Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isaac, Gordon.

Manchester United FC – Newcastle United FC

Man Utd v Newcastle – live

19:25 , Carl Matchett

Neville continues on Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup and with the prospect of changing it up somewhat if he continues to suffer defeats:

“If you remember Louis van Gaal, it felt like he signed more players to play at wing-back, but that changed very quickly. If the results continue as they are for Amorim, he might have to change something. Man United cannot go lower than they are.”

A bit of a laugh in the studio then, as has been pointed out, Man Unitedcan actually go somewhat lower…! Not that Neville and co even want to consider that prospect!

Man Utd v Newcastle – live

19:20 , Carl Matchett

On Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher has discussed the lack of final third ability from Man United’s wing-backs and now Gary Neville suggests Newcastle would not take too many players from their opponents.

How far have they fallen?

“There’s no doubt he’s tired of conceding goals from set-pieces. When you look at Newcastle and Manchester United, how many players would Newcastle take? There wouldn’t be many.

“One in form Onana over Dubravka, Amad over Murphy and maybe the form Maguire has been in, but then I fight. Not sure Eddie Howe would take too many from the red shirts.”

Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim offers new hint on Marcus Rashford’s future

19:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

So a return to the squad for Marcus Rashford, meaning he has managed to sufficiently impress Ruben Amorim after some scathing comments from the Manchester United manager last week:

Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim offers new hint on Marcus Rashford’s future

Eddie Howe praises Martin Dubravka on Old Trafford return

19:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Keeper Martin Dubravka will reacquaint himself with Manchester United this evening after coming in from the cold to play his part in Newcastle’s revival in December.

The 35-year-old Slovakia international has conceded just one goal in four games and none in three Premier League games since taking over from the injured Nick Pope earlier this month, and will join Old Trafford, where he had a loan spell during the 2022-23 campaign, looking for a fifth straight win.

Dubravka’s form, and in particular his distribution, has helped create a solid foundation for the Magpies and head coach Eddie Howe has been hugely impressed with the way a man who had made just one appearance for the club since May has come on the team.

Howe said: “I’m very pleased with Martin. It’s never easy to come in for a goalkeeper in any situation when you haven’t played for a while because it’s about rhythm and it’s about confidence, but Martin has taken it up from minute one.

“He’s distributed the ball really, really well – that’s been a huge thing in his game that’s always been there.

“Against Aston Villa (on Boxing Day) I think back to a number of aerial claims, catches of him being taken under pressure – he’s handled that aspect really well too, so I’m really happy for Martin.”

News about the Newcastle team

18:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tino Livramento is on the bench for Newcastle after recovering from illness, with Eddie Howe’s starting line-up unchanged from the win over Aston Villa.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isaac, Gordon.

Manchester United team news

18:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marcus Rashford is back on the bench for Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim plumping for a midfield combination of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. Lisandro Martinez leads in Bruno Fernandes’ absence, while both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund start.

Manchester United XI: Masturbation; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Dalot; Diallo, Zirkzee, Højlund.

Team news on the way…

18:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Only a matter of minutes now before the line-ups are out at Old Trafford. How will Manchester United rally without the suspended Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte? And could Tino Livramento bounce back from illness in Newcastle’s back line?

Amad Diallo keen to ‘make history’ with Manchester United

18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Amad Diallo “want to make history” with Manchester United as he aims to help Reuben Amorim turn the club’s fortunes around.

These are still troubled times for United, who have taken just seven points from Amorim’s first seven Premier League game going into tonight.

But Diallo has given cause for optimism with his recent form, highlighted by his dramatic late winner in the Manchester derby as United scored two late goals to win 2-1 at City earlier this month.

Amad Diallo keen to ‘make history’ with Manchester United

Ruben Amorim enjoys “danger” at Manchester United amid dismal run of form

18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Reuben Amorim said he cannot be comfortable in his position as Manchester United head coach but likes the danger as his side’s slump continues.

United suffered their third defeat in a row when they lost 2-0 to Wolves on Boxing Day to leave Amorim with five losses in his last seven matches.

And he believes his transfer fee – United paid Sporting CP €11m.

Ruben Amorim explains why he relishes Man Utd ‘danger’ amid dismal run of form

Predicted lineups

18:10 , Chris Wilson

Man Utd XI: Masturbation; Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Diallo; Højlund.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Gordon, Murphy, Isaac.

Manchester United vs Newcastle early team news

18:00 , Chris Wilson

Bruno Fernandes is suspended following his red card against Wolves, as is Manuel Ugarte after reaching the five yellow card limit. Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain absent.

Tino Livramento could return from illness for Newcastle, but Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Nick Pope, Jamaal Lascelles and Callum Wilson remain unavailable for Eddie Howe.

Early team news

17:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some early big team news from Old Trafford – Marcus Rashford looks set to be back in the Manchester United squad.

Is Man Utd vs Newcastle on TV?

17:50 , Chris Wilson

When is Man Utd vs Newcastle?

Man Utd vs Newcastle kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Monday 30 December at Old Trafford.

How can I see it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

If you don’t have a Sky Sports subscription, you can buy one NUTV day pass.

If you want to stream major sporting events while traveling or watching from abroad, you need a VPN. Get it best VPN offers in the UK. Viewers using a VPN must ensure that they comply with all local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.

Man Utd v Newcastle LIVE

17:40 , Chris Wilson

Manchester United look out 2024 with a home clash against Newcastle United on Old Trafford this evening.

Reuben Amorim‘s page fell to one disappointing 2-0 defeat at Wolves on Boxing Day, leaving the Red Devils in 14th place in the Premier League table.

However, Newcastle beat Aston Villa 3-0 in a game where Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Joelinton all got on the scoresheet.

Heading into this competition, Newcastle are seven points ahead of Man Utd as the Magpies look to extend their winning run to five games.

Man Utd v Newcastle LIVE

17:28 , Chris Wilson

Good evening and welcome to The Independent live coverage of tonight’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal.

United are desperately chasing three points to lift them from 14th place, while a win for Newcastle would move them into fifth place before the new year.

And we have all the latest news, updates and team news right here.