Manchester United will be hoping to return to winning ways and end 2024 on a high when they welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday night.

United, who have lost three of their last four meetings with the Magpies, suffered a third successive defeat on Boxing Day, losing 2-0 to Wolves at Molineux. The home side sealed all three points via goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan. That marked a third defeat in the space of just eight days for the Reds.

United head coach Ruben Amorim felt he was edging closer towards a settled stating XI against Wolves by making just two changes from the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth four days earlier, but he will be forced into a minimum of two alterations against Newcastle after losing Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes to suspension.

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Despite being questioned for his positioning for Wolves' opening goal on Boxing Day, Andre Onana is expected to start in goal for United and maintain his record of starting every Premier League game since he joined the club from Inter Milan in the 2023 summer transfer window.

Ahead of the Cameroonian, who has kept just one league clean sheet since Amorim arrived at Old Trafford, Matthijs de Ligt could be recalled to the defence after being deemed fit enough to make the bench against Wolves after a bout of illness. He could replace Leny Yoro, whose minutes are continuing to be managed carefully, and join forces with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez in the back three.

Ugarte collected his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves and must serve a one-match suspension, meaning one alteration in midfield is guaranteed. Casemiro is the logical replacement and could join forces with Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room.

As far as the wing-backs are concerned, it would make sense for Amad to be restored to the right to give United a sense of balance. However, a lack of options further up the pitch could mean Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot retain their places allowing Amad to continue as one of the two No.10s. He has started each of the last three Premier League matches from a more advanced role.

Alejandro Garnacho could earn his first start since being omitted from the squad for the Manchester derby earlier this month in the other No.10 role. Rasmus Hojlund, who was starved of service at Molineux, is likely to lead the line once again.

United predicted XI vs Newcastle United: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Hojlund, Garnacho.