Manchester United

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Manchester United have lost three consecutive league matches at home for the first time since December 1978 to February 1979.

It is the first time they have lost three league games in a row without scoring since May 2015.

That's five league defeats in the same month for the first time since September 1962.

They are finishing a calendar year lower than seventh in the table for the first time since 1989, when they were 15th.

Their tally of 22 points after 19 matches means United set a new club record for the lowest points at the halfway stage of a Premier League season, beating their previous mark of 28 in 2019-20.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Manchester United's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

There are three games in the Premier League on Monday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Chelsea (19:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Brighton (19:45)

• Man Utd v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times are GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Marcus Rashford has just been shown arriving at Old Trafford and heading towards the changing rooms by MUTV ahead of Manchester United's game against Newcastle this evening.

MUTV were doing a live broadcast around the players' arrivals for the game.

Rashford has been left out Ruben Amorim's squad for United's last four games.

However, with skipper Bruno Fernandes and midfielder Manuel Ugarte both suspended, there was always a chance the 27-year-old would be in United's matchday squad for the Newcastle game.

Christmas is boxed off.

We're almost through the confusing days before New Year and January is within touching distance.

And we need your help - what is Manchester United's New Year's resolution?

It could be a new player to sign, a tactical system to implement, an off-the-pitch matter or something else entirely.

Let us know

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

I said before Christmas that I thought Newcastle would hit their stride and they have done exactly that. The way they are playing, they should win at Old Trafford and make it four league wins in a row.

Manchester United's form is the exact opposite. I am not concerned about Ruben Amorim getting the sack but it really does not help when your goalkeeper keeps on conceding goals direct from a corner - that is under-12s stuff.

I remember it happening when I was watching my son play when he was about 15 and he got done off a corner. I told him you would never see it happen to a professional goalkeeper, but it has happened twice in two weeks. You could not make it up.

I need to apologise here though, because I was far too kind to Manchester United last week when I said they would get a draw at Wolves.

Their fans give me so much stick on social media whenever I say they will lose that it must have got to me a bit - I have become a bit of a chicken and have put them down to get a draw when my gut feeling has been for them to lose.

That has got to stop, because they are rubbish. That is not on Amorim because we will judge him when he has a chance to bring in his own players but, for now, we have to see them for what they are, which is a really poor side.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 1-2

As a Leeds fan it is literally in my DNA to hate Manchester United and I cannot predict anything good for them.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United for the signing of 26-year-old France and Paris St-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Portugal and Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, has refused to rule out a move to Manchester City, despite having played for rivals Manchester United over two spells. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Manchester United have lost just one of their past 39 home league games against Newcastle (won 28, drawn 10), a 1-0 loss in December 2013 under David Moyes.

Image source, PA Media

David Ornstein, football correspondent for The Athletic, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the formation implemented by Ruben Amorim in the early weeks of his reign at Manchester United:

"His idea, as he calls it, is something he doesn't appear willing to waver from. That's why Manchester United have employed him, to implement what we saw at Sporting Lisbon very successfully. But he had the personnel there, and he doesn't at Manchester United.

"It is going to take time to get rid of some players, recruit others and also work on something that will take a little while to seep into the familiarity and consciousness of those he's working with."

Former Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert added: "I think it's great he's sticking with it. He'll get it right - I just think the current group at the minute are finding it tough to play that type of football."

Image source, PA Media

Manchester United's vulnerability from defensive set-pieces has been evident in each of their past three games; Bournemouth scored with a header from a free-kick at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Tottenham and Wolves have both scored directly from corners.

Following Thursday's 2-0 loss at Molineux, boss Ruben Amorim was asked whether referees needed to protect players more or if his side simply needed to be stronger in those situations.

"After a defeat, I don't want to talk about that, but you can see that every corner nowadays is an opportunity," he said. "Sometimes you forget the small guys and the talented guys. You put 11 guys to corners or free-kicks if you can do everything inside the box.

"But those are the rules and we must not cry about it but do the same thing.

"So we have to focus on doing the same thing to the opponent. That is my goal at the moment."

Asked if his side needed "bigger players", Amorim replied: "No, what I'm saying is that if set-pieces are becoming so important, you can do everything, so we have to learn it and do the same thing, even with the small guys.

"We just have to copy and do the same thing and not try to change the rules - just use the rules to also score goals at set-pieces."

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Alan Shearer spoke on Match of the Day about the problems Ruben Amorim has at Manchester United as the club were defeated again on Boxing Day at Wolves: "Everything - results, issues off the field, Marcus Rashford...

"He (Amorim) said that they're going to have to suffer for a while and they are, because clearly a lot of the players in the football club are not good enough.

"He has to be able to get rid of players and be allowed to bring players in that can suit his system.

"But they're miles off it."

Watch Match of the Day on iPlayer

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We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Wolves and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Rich: A well-deserved win and Molineux was absolutely rocking again. Matheus Cunha was head and shoulders above everyone else for the full game. We were defensively strong without giving away any clearcut chances and holding onto possession. We look a different team and what a Christmas for the Wolves pack.

Jackson: What a lovely Christmas present for my boys in gold. Only way is up. We were more in control, never panicked and worked for each other. Solid performance and the new manager seems to have installed something in us! And two clean sheets to boot. Tottenham away next. Happy Boxing Day boys, proud of you all.

Steve: The improvement is very obvious. The manager is installing confidence and a new lease of life into the team and they are responding. A good game and they took their chances. If they are boring, so what? It's about winning games at the moment. Well done to all.

Derek: Great to see the workrate and desire return. Good win overall against a shambolic Man Utd. Still need to improve accuracy of passing and ability to maintain possession. Go Wolves.

Man Utd fans

Christine: This is NOT about Amorim. It's the players. They are simply not good enough and there is no mentality or passion to even try. Absolutely disgraceful. Amorim needs to continue what he is doing and get those gutless players out of the club. Hard times to come.

Bob: Calling this 'woeful mediocrity' would be to heap praise on United's performance. Take the captaincy from Bruno Fernandes permanently, and in January sign a striker and a keeper - any keeper! - or we're sunk.

Steven: Abysmal really. Errors after errors costing the team. Players not good enough. No money available. Amorin says he knew it would be hard but even he must be wondering what he should do with the team. And then, is sticking to this 3-4-3 really helping? Something has to give because if this continues we will be looking for another manager again.

Anthony: We were too hasty in appointing a new manager to replace Ten Hag. This is going to end up in tears. Managing a team in the Portuguese league and in the Premier League is completely different.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, PA Media

For Ruben Amorim, the struggle goes on.

Five defeats in his first 10 matches in all competitions is the worst performance by any new United manager since Walter Crickmer in 1932. He lost six out of 10.

That is quite some statistic.

Some may argue it is also completely meaningless. Crickmer was part of a bygone age when there was no such thing as a manager - twice he stepped up from his day job as club secretary to "take charge of team affairs", according to United's own website.

Amorim is not a manager either. His title as coach was a change from the past, part of the collective responsibility the new structure instigated by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that has been put in place.

But Amorim is the man who must find answers, starting with his side's continual inability to defend set-pieces.

On Monday, in-form Newcastle visit Old Trafford before a visit to Anfield and a meeting with old rivals Liverpool. Two years ago, United lost 7-0 there. They have already been beaten 3-0 at home by Arne Slot's side this season.

The worry about what is to come from a period that also includes a trip to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round is palpable.

"It's a tough moment and we are far from the end of this moment," said Amorim, who left Marcus Rashford out of his matchday squad for the fourth game running.

"I manage but I haven't trained. They [players] need time to train because they are changing completely their way of playing. It is hard on them.

"In this moment we just have to survive and win sometimes. Like I said on the first day, we have to fight these bad moments."

Asked how long this might take, Amorim offer no cause for optimism: "I have no idea. No idea."

Highlights and analysis from Boxing Day's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, 24, is open to a Premier League move this summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool among the clubs interested in the Canadian. (TBR Football), external

Meanwhile, United have set an initial asking price of about £50m for 27-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford. (Caughtoffside), external

Brazilian winger Antony has had offers to leave Old Trafford in January but the club do not want the 24-year-old to depart, according to his agent. (Givemesport), external

Dani Olmo's agent has arrived in Manchester with Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester City, potentially looking to take advantage of Barcelona's struggle to register the Spain midfielder, 26, ahead of the 1 January deadline. Agent Andy Bara said he is in Manchester on holiday rather than on business. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column