Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has said his side will intend to "attack the game" when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday evening.

The two sides will head into the M16 showdown in contrasting runs of form as they each attempt to try and bring 2024 to a close on a high.

While United have lost each of their last three matches, the latest of which a 2-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux on Boxing Day, Newcastle have won each of their last four outings across all competitions, scoring 14 goals in the process.

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Their recent upturn in form, at the time of writing, has elevated them to fifth in the Premier League table, five points shy of the Champions League qualification spots. That gap, however, could increase to eight points depending on the outcome of Sunday's matches.

Nevertheless, Newcastle have gone up through the gears with their performances in recent weeks, and Howe is not planning to change their approach for the clash with Ruben Amorim's side.

"They're very difficult fixtures regardless of when you go but I think, for us, we try and attack the game as we have done in recent weeks," said Howe. "We've had really good preparations to our games and the players seem to be enjoying themselves, entering the game with the right frame of mind to play.

"We've got to try and hit that sweet spot again without any distractions. I'm sure the players will be ready for the games."

Newcastle's recent upturn in form has coincided with star striker Alexander Isak's red-hot form in front of goal. The Swede has scored in each of his last five league appearances, netting seven goals, including a hat-trick against Ipswich Town.

"My biggest thing with Alex is I'm evaluating his game on a daily basis and I want to try and push him on for more," Howe said of the 25-year-old.

"His game is in a good place at the moment but my job is to not sit back and appreciate that. My job is to try and find areas that he can improve, push him towards that and never stop pushing him.

"He has all the ingredients in there but football never stops changing and evolving and he needs to evolve and change with it."