Manchester United set for historic Boxing Day showdown with Newcastle
Manchester United’s Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United will mark a historic moment in the Premier League. For the first time ever, only one match will take place on the holiday. The fixture also sets a new record for the club, as they become the first to play five standalone top-flight games in a row.
The upcoming match at Old Trafford is the only Premier League game scheduled for 26 December. This is the first time in the competition’s history that Boxing Day will feature just a single fixture.
Manchester United’s run of standalone matches began earlier this season. They have now played four such games in succession, with the Newcastle clash extending that streak to five. Only two other clubs have ever managed four in a row: Arsenal in April and May 2005, and Leicester City in the same months in 2021. The Red Devils hold the record for the most Boxing Day wins in Premier League history, with 22 victories. Newcastle, meanwhile, share the unwanted distinction of the most defeats on the same day, having lost 16 times. Eddie Howe’s side will aim to avoid adding to that tally when they face Erik ten Hag’s team.
The match will cap off an unusual sequence for Manchester United, who have now played five times as the sole Premier League fixture on a given day. Their dominance on Boxing Day contrasts with Newcastle’s struggles, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter. The outcome will determine whether United extend their record or Newcastle reduce their own unwanted statistic.
