Man United vs Newcastle United headlines Round 18 of the Premier League as two historic rivals clash under the lights at Old Trafford. Kick-off is scheduled for 01:30 (local time) on Saturday, December 27, with cold winter conditions expected in Manchester at around 5°C, setting the stage for a tense and physical encounter.
Manchester United return to Old Trafford looking to stabilize an inconsistent run of form, while Newcastle United arrive full of confidence after recent strong performances despite a lengthy injury list. With both teams battling for European positions, this fixture carries huge significance before the festive period intensifies.
Match Overview – Man United vs Newcastle United
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Manchester United vs Newcastle United |
| Competition | Premier League |
| Matchweek | Round 18 |
| Date & Kick-Off | Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 01:30 |
| Venue | Old Trafford |
| City | Manchester, England |
| Capacity | 76,212 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Referee | Anthony Taylor |
| Weather | 5°C – Cold |
Manchester United are expected to dominate possession at home with a back-three system, while Newcastle United may look to absorb pressure and strike quickly through pace on the wings and direct attacking transitions.
Recent Form Guide – Man United vs Newcastle United
Manchester United – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21/12 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Loss |
| 15/12 | AFC Bournemouth | 4–4 | Draw |
| 08/12 | Wolverhampton | 4–1 | Win |
| 04/12 | West Ham United | 1–1 | Draw |
| 30/11 | Crystal Palace | 2–1 | Win |
Manchester United’s form has been erratic, showing attacking potential but defensive vulnerability. Injuries to key midfield and defensive figures have disrupted consistency, though their home performances remain competitive.
Newcastle United – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20/12 | Chelsea | 2–2 | Draw |
| 17/12 | Fulham | 2–1 | Win |
| 14/12 | Sunderland | 0–1 | Loss |
| 10/12 | Bayer Leverkusen | 2–2 | Draw |
| 06/12 | Burnley | 2–1 | Win |
Newcastle United have shown resilience across competitions, balancing league and European commitments well. Despite injuries, their midfield has remained competitive, with goals coming from multiple sources.
Head-to-Head – Man United vs Newcastle United (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2025 | Premier League | Newcastle vs Man Utd | 4–1 Newcastle |
| December 2024 | Premier League | Man Utd vs Newcastle | 0–2 Newcastle |
| May 2024 | Premier League | Man Utd vs Newcastle | 3–2 Man Utd |
| December 2023 | Premier League | Newcastle vs Man Utd | 1–0 Newcastle |
| November 2023 | Carabao Cup | Man Utd vs Newcastle | 0–3 Newcastle |
Newcastle United have dominated recent meetings, winning four of the last five clashes, including two straight victories at Old Trafford.
Top Scorers
- Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo – 6 goals, 1 assist (16 matches)
- Newcastle United: Nick Woltemade – 7 goals, 1 assist (14 matches)
With Mbeumo unavailable due to international duty, Manchester United’s attacking responsibility may fall on Benjamin Šeško and Matheus Cunha, while Newcastle will once again look to Woltemade for a decisive moment.
Predicted Lineups – Man United vs Newcastle United
Manchester United (3-4-2-1)
Senne Lammens – Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw – Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu – Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount – Benjamin Šeško
Newcastle United (4-3-3)
Aaron Ramsdale – Lewis Miley, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schär, Lewis Hall – Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey – Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon
Final lineups will be confirmed approximately one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players
| Team | Missing Players | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Amad, Mazraoui, Mbeumo | International duty |
| Maguire, De Ligt, Bruno Fernandes, Mainoo | Injury | |
| Newcastle United | Nick Pope, Daniel Burn, Krafth, Lascelles, Trippier, Botman, Livramento, Osula | Injury |
Both sides are heavily impacted by absences, particularly in defense, which could open the door for goals at both ends.
Statistical Projection – Man United vs Newcastle United
| Metric | Man United | Newcastle |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Shots on Target | 4–6 | 4–6 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.3–1.6 | 1.2–1.5 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 28% | 30% |
| Corners | 5–7 | 4–6 |
| Most Likely Scorer | Benjamin Šeško | Nick Woltemade |
Prediction Summary – Man United vs Newcastle United
Why Manchester United Could Win
- Strong home atmosphere at Old Trafford
- Physical midfield presence through Ugarte and Zirkzee
- Desire to respond after recent poor head-to-head results
Why Newcastle United Could Challenge
- Excellent recent record against Manchester United
- Direct attacking threat through Gordon and Woltemade
- Well-balanced midfield with Guimarães and Tonali
This match looks evenly balanced. Manchester United’s home advantage may be offset by Newcastle’s superior recent head-to-head dominance and tactical cohesion.
Final Score Prediction : Man United 1–1 Newcastle United
Likely Scorers:
- Benjamin Šeško
- Nick Woltemade
Confidence Levels:
- Manchester United Win – 35%
- Draw – 35%
- Newcastle United Win – 30%
Read More:-
Betting Insight by E2bet
A cautious approach is advised given both teams’ injuries and recent form trends.
Bet Tips: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Best Value Bet: Correct Score 1–1
Player Bet: Nick Woltemade to Score Anytime
⚠️ All predictions and insights are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Man United vs Newcastle United
1.What time is Manchester United vs Newcastle United?
The match kicks off at 01:30 local time on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
2.Where is the match being played?
At Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
3.Who is the referee for the match?
Anthony Taylor.
4.Who are the key players to watch?
Benjamin Šeško for Manchester United and Nick Woltemade for Newcastle United.
5.What is the predicted score?
A closely contested 1–1 draw.