Manchester United will bring the curtain down on what has been a relentless December when they welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford this evening.

The visit of Eddie Howe's team will mark United's ninth and final outing of what has been a demanding and draining month on both the players and Ruben Amorim. United started the month by recording their first Premier League win of the Amorim era, beating Everton 4-0, but they have only recorded one league triumph since - the dramatic 2-1 win over Manchester City in the derby at the Etihad Stadium.

Since that victory over their neighbours, United have lost successive league matches to Bournemouth and Wolves, while as a result of Europa League participation and progression to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, United have not had a free midweek outside of the international breaks since August.

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It has meant Amorim has barely had any time on the training pitch with the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag. The Portuguese chief arrived in England on November 11 and time on the training ground between matches has been extremely limited, with recovery sessions often taking priority between games.

The lack of training time has been highlighted, more so to those who cover United, by the fact the club has only published training images twice since Amorim's arrival - and on one of those occasions it was when the media was allowed to watch training ahead of a Europa League fixture. It has not been uncommon for training images to have been published on a weekly basis in the past.

United, following tonight's tussle with Newcastle, are not in action again until Sunday - facing Liverpool at Anfield - before not playing again until the following Sunday against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. It means three games in 14 days and will provide a welcome respite for Amorim, who has frequently outlined his frustration at a lack of time on the training pitch.

As Harry Maguire outlined after the defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day, you have to sympathise with Amorim and his coaching team for a lack of time they have had on the training ground. Amorim arrived in England at the start of one of the most demanding and relentless periods of the season, meaning he has been unable to implement his vision and new-look shape.

But the next fortnight will offer Amorim ample time to work with his players. With another demanding period not too far down the line, Amorim will determined to maximise the next fortnight. He has been longing for time on the training ground and he is set to get it in the first half of January.

"I manage but I didn’t train [the players]," said Amorim after the defeat at Wolves. "They need time to train, they are completely changing the way of playing, it is really hard on them and for the staff to pass on all the information. When you don’t have results, it's even harder for them to believe."

United, of course, are in desperate need of results - and their next three results could well end their domestic season. However, they will be hopeful that time to train will develop the relationship and understanding between Amorim and his players.