Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Prediction: Can Red Devils Get Back on Track

• Manchester United are in poor form as they struggle to turn things around

• Newcastle United have climbed up the EPL table over the last few weeks

• This could be another frustrating match for the struggling Red Devils

Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Odds

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Manchester United vs. Newcastle United Pick

Back Newcastle United to beat Manchester United in the final set of Premier League fixtures of 2024. The Magpies can end the calendar year on a high by winning at Old Trafford.

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Miserable Manchester United Have Normalized Mediocrity

It is no longer headline news when Manchester United lose soccer matches. No one batted an eyelid when Ruben Amorim’s men went down to a 2-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the traditional round of Boxing Day fixtures. After yet another setback, United are now 14th in the standings. 

That is a dismal position for a club of their size. We are almost halfway through the campaign now; this is different to being in the bottom half after four or five weeks. United are 11 points adrift of the top four and only eight clear of the relegation zone. A couple more defeats and United might have to start looking over their shoulders at the bottom three.

The sending-off of Bruno Fernandes did not help Amorim’s team against Wolves last time out. The score was 0-0 when United were reduced to 10 men early in the second half. They showed spirit after going 1-0 down and only conceded the second goal deep into stoppage time. All things considered, it was not their worst display of the campaign.

Yet United have normalized mediocrity. They are further away than ever from winning a 21st EPL title. Amorim is a gifted head coach but even he looks nonplussed by the predicament he finds himself in so early in his tenure. The Portuguese has a massive job on his hands to restore United to their former glories.

It is remarkable that the Red Devils have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to assemble a squad as average as this one. Of United’s regular starters, perhaps only Lisandro Martinez and Fernandes would be contenders to get into the XIs of the division’s other top teams. That is a damning indictment of the club’s recruitment process.

With games against Newcastle and Liverpool coming up, things could get worse before they get better.

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Newcastle United on a High as They Eye a Top-Four Finish

There is more festive cheer at St James’ Park after Newcastle United’s return to form over the last couple of weeks. For the first time since September 2023, Eddie Howe’s team have won three Premier League matches in a row. They are now up to fifth place as they aim to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in the last three years.

There are several reasons why Newcastle have hit their stride. We will mention two here: Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali. The former is back to his best up front, having scored 10 goals in his last 10 league appearances. The latter is thriving as a deep-lying midfielder having previously been deployed as a No.8 with mixed success.

Newcastle were helped by a red card shown to Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran on Boxing Day, but they still deserve credit for their all-round performance. The Magpies are purring in attack right now, having made the net bulge 14 times in their last four outings in all competitions, including three against Villa on Thursday.

“We will give our best to have the best season that we can,” Howe said recently. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t be very successful this year.”

It was a typically circumspect comment from the Newcastle manager, but he must be delighted with what he has seen from his team over the last fortnight or so. Howe will now be looking for more of the same against Manchester United.

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Newcastle United Can Collect All Three Points at Old Trafford

This must be the first time in a while that Newcastle United are favorites with the sportsbooks to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Magpies have not finished above the Red Devils since 1977 but they are on course to do just that this season. Howe’s team can move 10 points clear of their upcoming opponents with a victory on Monday.

Newcastle deserve their status as favorites. They are, to put it simply, a better team than Manchester United. Amorim is still working things out at Old Trafford, whereas Howe knows his players inside out. 

Newcastle are in better form too and that will give them confidence. Their opponents will be without Fernandes, their best player, through suspension, making their task even more difficult.

There is no fear factor when it comes to facing United these days. Bournemouth won 3-0 at Old Trafford last weekend for the second season running. Wolves, in the bottom three at Christmas, have just beaten them at Molineux. Right now, United do indeed look like a bottom-half team.

All of which points towards an away win on Monday. Newcastle are seeking a fourth victory in a row and they will arrive at Old Trafford full of belief that they can emerge victorious. Another defeat beckons for Manchester United.

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How to Watch Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

• Teams: Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

• Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

• Date and Time: Monday, 30 December 2024, 3.00 PM ET 

• How to Watch: USA Network