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Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United could win the league Getty

Manchester United will face Newcastle United in the Premier League Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford on Friday.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is at 3pm GMT. Live coverage is on BT Sport 1. Catch the highlights of the game on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 11pm GMT.

Overview

Louis van Gaal saw his side's six-match winning streak end in their last encounter as United came from behind to settle for a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, courtesy of Radamel Falcao's second league goal of the season.

Despite the draw, the 20-times English champions have maintained their league position as they are still third in the league table with 32 points from 17 games. United have lost only one game at Old Trafford and Van Gaal will be looking to extend his side's brilliant run at home on Friday.

The Red Devils have the best record on Boxing Day as they have lost only one game so far in the Premier League. A victory over the Tyneside club will help them retain their position in the league table.

Papiss Cisse
Papiss Cisse will hope to continue his good form against Manchester United on Friday. Reuters

Meanwhile, Newcastle are not enjoying a great run in the league in December as they come into this fixture after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland at St James' Park during the Tyne-Wear derby last weekend.

The loss against the Black Cats has seen the Magpies suffer their third straight defeat and Alan Pardew will be hoping to set things right when his side take on United on Friday.

What Managers Say

Louis van Gaal: "We want to build a fortress at Old Trafford. We have made it that already because we have won a lot, and with great results. We have to continue but there are no easy games in the Premier League. My record in away matches as a coach is not so bad. Away, teams are more open and want to attack but here they want to defend."

Alan Pardew: "We have good spirit and character in the squad. In terms of how we lost the [Sunderland] game, if we were going to lose a game, I'd rather we lost it like that. We tried to win it and that ambition won't leave this team because we have a good spirit and we never give in. We have to move on, it's as simple as that. We can't dwell on it. It was a performance that was pretty good but it wasn't enough."

Betting Odds (bwin)

  • Manchester United to win: 7/9
  • Draw: 54/13
  • Newcastle United to win: 15/2

Team Form

Manchester United

  • Last Five (all competitions): W W W W D
  • Last Result: Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

Newcastle United

  • Last Five (all competitions): D W L L L
  • Last Result: Newcastle United 0-1 Sunderland

Team News

Louis van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is without a number of key individuals Getty Images

Manchester United

  • Injured: Luke Shaw (ankle), Marcos Rojo (thigh), Marouane Fellaini (illness), Daley Blind (knee), Ander Herrera (muscle injury)
  • Doubtful: Chris Smalling (groin)
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Evans, Young; Carrick, Rooney, Di Maria; Mata, Falcao Van Persie

Newcastle United

  • Injured: Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Mehdi Abeid (foot), Tim Krul (ankle), Gabriel Obertan (thigh), Ryan Taylor (knee), Rob Elliot
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: Cheikh Tiote

Possible XI: Alnwick; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett; Williamson, Colback, Gouffran, Sissoko; Cisse, Perez

Premier League Manchester United FC Newcastle united