Preview: Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

Newcastle United will be hoping to avoid a third straight league defeat when they travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

Alan Pardew's side have had a disappointing week, being knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur before suffering a last-gasp defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby at the weekend.

Sunday's loss leaves them with just one win in their last five league outings, dropping them to ninth in the table.

Jak Alnwick is likely to continue in goal after overcoming a shoulder injury to make his derby debut on Sunday, while Tim Krul and Rob Elliott remain sidelined with injury.

Steven Taylor is expected to be available despite picking up a nasty facial wound during the derby, while Cheick Tiote misses out through suspension.

While not ready for this match, the squad will have been boosted by Jonas Gutierrez's return to action with the Under-21s last night, just weeks after he was given the all-clear from testicular cancer.

Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal will be hoping that his side can return to winning ways after they were held to a draw by 10-man Aston Villa at the weekend.

The draw denied the side their seventh straight win in the league, leaving them 10 points behind league leaders Chelsea, and seven adrift of local rivals Manchester City.

Angel di Maria could be included in the starting lineup for the match after making his return from injury off the bench at the weekend, while Chris Smalling may also return.

However, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini are all ruled out, as is Daley Blind, who has just returned to training after several weeks out with a knee injury.

Man Utd have not lost at home since the opening day of the season when they were stunned by Swansea City.

Last season, Newcastle clinched a win at Old Trafford before being thrashed in the reverse fixture in April.

Manchester United:

Form in Premier League: WWWWWD Form in all competitions: WWWWWD

Possible starting lineup: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Rafael, Carrick, Di Maria, Young, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie

Newcastle United:

Form in Premier League: WLDWLL Form in all competitions: LDWLLL

Possible starting lineup: Alnwick, Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett, Williamson, Colback, Gouffran, Sissoko, Cisse, Perez

Sports Mole says: 2-1