Overview
- Manchester United beat Newcastle 1-0 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day to move back into sixth place.
- Wayne Rooney told BBC Match of the Day that United’s depth is “not sustainable” and urged January signings to support a top‑four push.
- Bruno Fernandes was sidelined with a hamstring issue as Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Kobbie Mainoo were also out, with Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Ruben Amorim switched to a back four and United finished with 33% possession, a performance Rooney called poor despite the result.
- United named five academy players on the bench, Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fredricson featured, Mason Mount went off at half‑time, the window opens 1 January and Amorim says he will not sanction rushed deals.