Conor Gallagher is set to leave Atletico Madrid in January, with Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham interested in the 25-year-old England midfielder. (Teamtalk, external)
Meanwhile, Newcastle, Manchester United, Arsenal and Brentford are all keeping an eye on Hoffenheim's 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure. (Caught Offside, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Burnley have drawn their past two games but they really need a win because they are a little adrift at the bottom - six points from safety.
Scott Parker is under a bit of pressure and a few of their fans have called up 606 saying they want a change. I still think they have been competitive though, even if they haven't beaten anyone since 26 October.
Newcastle could do with a victory as well though. They are a strange side because they have been playing quite well but not really getting results. I keep backing them to win, so it is costing me too.
I'm not going to stop though. I'm going for a rare away win for Eddie Howe's side - and this time they will keep a clean sheet.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Burnley at Turf Moor (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Sven Botman is unlikely to available with Howe "not 100 per cent sure" on the centre-back's fitness.
On the number of injuries in his squad: "We've got a whole group of players that are getting closer but not as quick as I would like them. I would like them to be available as quick as possible as our backline's been really stretched. The guys who have played have done really well, especially Lewis Miley playing out of position but, we really would welcome some of those players back. Whether it's for Burnley I don't know."
Howe said he will "make a call" on whether Aaron Ramsdale will continue as his first-choice goalkeeper after Nick Pope returned to the squad against Manchester United but fell ill "right before kick-off".
Yoane Wissa is still not in a position "to start regularly" as he continues his journey to full fitness.
The Magpies boss believes it has been more difficult for his side to keep up their intensity this campaign due to their hectic schedule but he insisted this particular quality is "still a part" of his team.
On criticism that his team is unbalanced and lacks creativity: "Everyone can have an opinion on that. I think we're always analysing the squad and seeing where any potential weaknesses are and where we can improve."
On 16-year-old Sam Alabi making the bench at Old Trafford as he awaits his first senior appearance for Newcastle: "Sam's done well when he's trained with us. He's so young and we've got to be very mindful of that and look after him, protect him and nurture him. But he's certainly got a lot of talent and I love his attitude as well. I love his fearlessness and how he's adapted to the group. He has a great future if he keeps working hard."
On facing former club Burnley: "It is a tough place to go, as I would know having managed there. But I think we just need to look at it independently and give everything we can to get a positive result there. We need to start feeling better about ourselves on the road. We need to start getting good feelings on our travels. For our supporters who give so much and travel in such big numbers, we need to give them the feeling that they want as well."
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are battling it out for the signature of AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, 19, but face competition from La Liga giants Real Madrid. (Talksport), external
Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt have opened talks over a potential move for Nottingham Forest forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, 23, just in case a move for Newcastle United striker Will Osula, 22, not develop. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Here are some of your comments:
Man Utd fans
Christine: Man Utd were great in the first half and it was a wonderful goal from Patrick Dorgu. In the second half, we were hanging on by a thread and I couldn't understand the substitutions. By the end of the game, the defence was unrecognisable. We got away with one there. The good thing is we won and on to the next game against Wolves.
Stuart: Christmas miracles do indeed happen. Deserved to be more than one up at half-time, but the second half and those subs were wild by Ruben Amorim. How we ended up surviving and keeping the clean sheet I'll never know.
Henry: Not a convincing win but a great three points given the injuries and Afcon absentees!
Agim: Unbelievable defending. Well done Ayden Heaven and Senne Lammens, but to win with this kind of performance, below standards, yes has happened before but is very risky. Newcastle will kick themselves as to how they couldn't score. We definitely need January signings in midfield. Lucky until it runs out for us. Very positive to get a clean sheet - thank you team, thank you Amorim, thank you to the Old Trafford fans.
Aaron: Bruno Fernandes' absence will finally give Amorim an excuse to change things up a bit. It may be a blessing in disguise?!
Newcastle fans
David: This is turning into a very underwhelming season. Always with the 4-3-3 too - is there a way to play Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa together? Love Eddie, can't imagine who we would get instead, but we do look very predictable at the moment
Phil: Newcastle aren't progressing, quite the opposite. Eddie Howe is burning through his 'credit in the bank' with this shambolic away form and it can't be ignored. He clearly doesn't have the answers as we keep doing the same thing. When does his seat start getting warm?
Lee: Same old same old, pass it around a bit until we swing a hopeful ball into the box. Why Eddie is obsessed with playing Anthony Gordon - who hasn't scored in open play for nearly a year - is beyond me as well.
Richard: Unfortunately the players have lost all confidence in and around the penalty box. No one wants to take responsibility to shoot. Gordon needs a break like Anthony Elanga and Wissa needs to start.
Paul: Come on lads. There is no way that your instructions were to cross the ball from 30 yards all the time. No Premier League teams do that! We need to give our forwards a chance. Get to the byline, look up, then pull it back...simple!
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThis has turned into a pretty desperate period for Newcastle.
Defeated by Sunderland, throwing away a two-goal lead against Chelsea and now this.
Manager Eddie Howe can rightly point to his own injuries in justification that Manchester United should not be made a special case.
Yet this was a night when the home side finished with an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old and two 20-year-olds on the pitch, plus Tyrell Malacia who had not played all season and would have been sold in the summer if a suitable buyer had been found.
Despite this - and the fact they had two-thirds possession, more shots and smothered the home penalty area for the last half hour to the extent they had three times as many touches in the opposition box - Newcastle's goal threat was not extensive.
Aside from Fabian Schar's deflected shot and Lewis Hall's ferocious effort, Anthony Gordon sent a shot across goal and narrowly wide and there were a couple of penalty claims, one against stand-in home skipper Lisandro Martinez, that the video assistant referee (VAR) examined.
In the end, they just ran out of ideas and Newcastle are again licking their wounds at another bitterly disappointing outcome which keeps them in the bottom half of the table.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I felt we should have come away with something but we only have ourselves to blame for that.
"It's a frustrating game. In the first half it was there for us to grab and we didn't and I was disappointed with our performance at half time. Second half was a lot stronger. I thought we dominated the game in terms of possession and chances. It was that elusive first goal, if we get it the win is there for us."
"I always hold myself accountable first and of course then i look at the players as well. I thought the performance was good today. I am not stood here going, 'we were miles off'.
"If we win everyone is saying, 'it's an outstanding performance' but of course we haven't and we are going to get criticised for that. We have to do more to win today."
Did you know?
Newcastle have won just one of their last 12 away league games (D4 L7) - a 4-1 victory at Everton in November. Since the first game in this period (1-4 defeat at Aston Villa on April 19th), the only ever-present Premier League side with fewer away points than the Magpies (7) are Wolves (4).
Newcastle attempted 16 shots in this match – their second-most on record (from 2003-04) in a Premier League game at Old Trafford (21 in May 2024). It was their joint-most in a Premier League match in which they failed to score in 2025-26 (also 16 v Aston Villa in August).
Listen to post-match reaction from John Anderson and Matthew Raisbeck on BBC Sounds
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Manchester United's performance
What did you make of Newcastle's display?
Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter at Old Trafford
Manchester United begin life without skipper Bruno Fernandes, who is expected to be out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
Casemiro returns from a one-match suspension, while Lisandro Martinez takes over as captain as he replaces Leny Yoro in the other change to the side beaten at Aston Villa.
Tyler Fletcher joins twin brother Jack on the bench. The pair are the sons of former United midfielder and current Under-18 coach Darren.
Manchester United XI: Lammens, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu, Mount, Cunha, Sesko.
Subs: Bayindir, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Fredricson, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato.
Newcastle are unchanged from the team that drew with Chelsea last weekend.
Former Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga has not been named on the bench but goalkeeper Nick Pope is fit enough to return from a groin issue.
Newcastle are looking to record consecutive victories at Old Trafford for the first time since 1935.
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Subs: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Willock, A Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has played down concerns over Newcastle United's recent Premier League form, despite Eddie Howe's side languishing in 11th, with just one win in four league matches.
Speaking on BBC's Football Daily, Reo-Coker suggested Newcastle's domestic dip should be viewed in the context of their Champions League commitments, given the demands of balancing European football with league fixtures.
He also suggested they need to improve their squad depth and drew comparisons with Aston Villa's ability to rotate while remaining competitive.
"I don't see any kind of issues or struggles with Newcastle," Reo-Coker said. "The only thing is competing in the Champions League, which they're doing quite well in.
"We saw last time they were in the Champions League where they struggled with Premier League form. Again, you'd have to question the strength and depth of the quality of the squad. It's still not quite there.
"In comparison to another team that they might be competing with in Aston Villa, Newcastle have a fantastic starting XI but when you talk about strength in depth, Villa have that quality. That's why they can still compete in the Europa League and also in the Premier League - Newcastle still are not at that level yet.
"So I think they still need some more quality to come in to be able to change the team around for Premier League games. But Eddie Howe is a terrific manager, and I think he'll get it right."
Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist
The Premier League's only Boxing Day fixture (20:00 GMT) pits the team with the most wins in the division on 26 December against the side with the joint-most defeats. Manchester United have earned 22 Boxing Day victories, while Newcastle have lost 16 times on that date.
Improved Man Utd hindered by lack of clean sheets
Head coach Ruben Amorim felt, with some justification, that his Manchester United side were "the better team" during Sunday's narrow defeat by Aston Villa. They had more shots and higher-quality chances, while Amorim's decision to congest the middle of the pitch but keep his wing-backs high and wide prevented Villa from building attacks.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils have now lost 14 league matches for the third consecutive calendar year; they last fared worse in 1989, with 18 defeats under Sir Alex Ferguson.
A lack of clean sheets is hurting them. While only four teams – including Newcastle – have faced fewer shots in the Premier League this season, United have kept one clean sheet – their joint-fewest after 17 games of a top-flight campaign. This season is already their fourth-longest wait for a second shutout.
Replacing the irreplaceable
United will also be missing their talisman Bruno Fernandes, one of seven potential absentees against Newcastle, because of a soft-tissue injury.
How to replace Fernandes is a rare conundrum for a Manchester United manager to have to solve – he is the only Premier League player to have made at least 300 club appearances in all competitions since his debut on 1 February 2020. The Portuguese has missed just 17 of United's 325 matches during that period.
A leading question for Newcastle
Newcastle United have won five of their past six meetings with Manchester United in all competitions – as many as in the previous 44 encounters – but come to Old Trafford off the back of two chastening league results.
They responded to a listless derby defeat by Sunderland with a high-octane first-half display against Chelsea last weekend, which head coach Eddie Howe described as "the best we've played" all season. However, a second-half dip in intensity led to a 2-0 lead being squandered as Newcastle conceded for the 10th league game in a row. It's their longest run without a clean sheet since a 14-match streak in 2021.
Newcastle were unlucky to be denied a penalty when Trevoh Chalobah bodychecked Anthony Gordon with the score at 2-1, but their inability to see out a game has become a pressing issue.
Howe's side have dropped 10 points from winning positions in their past eight top-flight fixtures. The 13 points they have given up across the season is a joint-league high with Brentford.
Manchester United got a bit of praise for their performance against Aston Villa, even though they were beaten.
The key to how this game goes is what they do without Bruno Fernandes, and how they are going to cope without him.
You look around Ruben Amorim's squad and he does not seem to have a lot of leaders in there.
It will be interesting to see if Amorim plays centre-back Lisandro Martinez in that holding midfield role, the same job he did when he came on for Fernandes against Villa, because he could provide that leadership they will need.
Newcastle United will be absolutely sick that they let a two-goal lead slip against Chelsea last week, while their away record has a lot of room for improvement - they have won only one of their eight away league games so far.
Manchester United are three points and four places above them in the table, but they are missing a few players at the Africa Cup of Nations and, in my mind, Newcastle United have the better squad anyway.
Because of that, I am going to back Eddie Howe's side here. There won't be many goals, though, and they may only need to score one to win it.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesA lasting cure for travel sickness.
Newcastle United have lost five of their last eight away games in all competitions ahead of trips to Manchester United and Burnley over the festive period.
Eddie Howe's side have only won once in the Premier League on the road since mid-April.
No wonder they lie in 11th place in the table.
Newcastle have a propensity to throw away leads at home, too, as they did against Chelsea at the weekend, but it is their issues on the road that have been especially damaging.
Just when it appeared Newcastle had turned a corner, of sorts, following an emphatic 4-1 win at Everton earlier this month, the visitors came crashing back down to earth on their next awayday.
The limp manner of the 1-0 defeat against bitter rivals Sunderland was a new low and still stings for supporters.
But it has to be a line in the sand moment on the road, particularly when trips to the Emirates, the Etihad, Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all still lie in wait.
The best teams find a way to eke out a result regardless of the opposition, competition or venue.
That is what Newcastle need to start doing going into the new year.
Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are all eyeing Ajax's 22-year-old Dutch defender Youri Baas. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle are all interested in Marseille's French midfielder Darryl Bakola, 18. (Footmercato - in French), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Charlotte Robson
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIn September, I think most of us felt that Newcastle's summer transfer window was successful, with players brought into the defence, two strikers, a winger and a midfielder. Yet here we are, approaching January with clear weaknesses in our squad.
Newcastle are in need of defensive options. This has to be a priority this January. We have nine games in January alone and we have almost no options for rotation in our full-back positions. We need to manage load and injury carefully - but how, when there are so few options?
When Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento are fit, they're the obvious first choice for us. We just don't have a clear second choice. We aren't even one injury away from an issue there - Hall has been in and out of the squad with a hamstring issue and Livramento now has a knock to his knee. This isn't to say Lewis Miley hasn't done well at right-back - but it's not his preferred position and subsequently leaves us light in midfield.
Really, we need more options all over the pitch. I'd like to see us sign a midfielder - maybe a younger player ready for development or even a loan - to offer options when Joelinton inevitably drops off (dare I say the signs are there?). We need to continue looking for a goalkeeping back-up - Aaron Ramsdale is doing a serviceable job but he is not, in my opinion, the successor to Nick Pope.
Ross Wilson told us that there is money to spend in January and while it's lovely to imagine we're going to go on a spending spree it's worth remembering that January is a tricky window for many reasons.
We need players ready to drop into the squad quickly, which also complicates things. I just hope we can get some deals over the line early in the window, unlike the summer, to lighten the load on our squad.
Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesEddie Howe was defiant.
After maintaining that Newcastle United were "going in the right direction" at the weekend, the head coach doubled down in his latest news conference on Tuesday.
"My glass is very much half full," he said. "I know everyone else might have a different opinion, but I feel we're improving."
Howe uttered those words at a time when Newcastle lie in 11th place.
No other team have thrown away more points from winning positions - 13 - than Howe's side.
Newcastle have won only one league away game all season before travelling to Old Trafford on 26 December.
Yet, remarkably, the season still feels wide open as we approach the halfway point.
Newcastle are still only six points off fourth place, are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and remain on course to clinch a play-off spot in the race to qualify for the Champions League last 16.
But the Magpies have to quickly rediscover the resilience and consistency that sparked a dramatic turnaround last winter.
It was about this time a year ago that Newcastle defeated Manchester United on their own turf during a nine-game winning run.
Howe could do with history repeating itself.
"The challenge is to hit those levels we know we are capable of home and away," Howe added.
"I believe we can do it and I believe the confidence is returning internally that we can do it.
"Now we have to show it."
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 20:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Howe is not in a position to confirm a timeframe for Tino Livramento's return, while he doesn't think Sven Botman is too far off.
"There's a chance" that Nick Pope returns against Man Utd, though as of Tuesday morning he hasn't returned to training yet.
On whether Howe is working specifically with players on trying not to lose leads: "The timing of the goals [we conceded] is irrelevant; it's more how they're constructed. We want to be the same team throughout the game, and not worry about timings. We want to feel like the game is ours whether it's a 1-0, 2-0 lead. Confidence comes from that feeling."
Howe praised the "really good connection" Nick Woltemade has already built with fans.
After injury setback, Jacob Ramsey is "returning to his very best levels".
Newcastle's players will train on Christmas Day, with Howe stating: "You can't stand over their shoulder when they're at home. You trust that they'll make good decisions."
On his team's progress: "My glass is half full, presently. Against Chelsea, that was the best we've looked in front of goal. We looked a real threat."
Howe confirmed the club have sought clarification from PGMOL regarding the decision not to award Newcastle a penalty for Trevoh Chalobah's challenge on Anthony Gordon.
Howe said that Newcastle's transfer activity will depend on the condition of the players that are currently sidelined with injury when the window opens.
On Anthony Gordon: "Chelsea was one of his best games this season. Finding that consistent level in every game, that's what separates the best players from the others."
The club are "aware" that Lewis Hall has had a reaction to his hamstring against Chelsea and will keep an eye on him.
Joelinton is "getting closer" to participating.
Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds
Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesAnthony Gordon has disappointed me on more than one occasion in the past, specifically by his use of the dark arts in winning penalties. On Saturday afternoon against Chelsea however, all of his best qualities were on show.
He fought, chased and battled to win the right to play, then added the quality on top. He made two goals for Nick Woltemade and it would have been three had the German been a little more clinical.
Gordon also deserved a penalty after being blatantly barged in the box, but his reputation goes before him now and referees are loath to give him spot kicks because they feel they have been duped before.
Lewis Miley deserves as much credit as anyone in black and white. For more than a year now I have been telling anyone who will listen that this kid is going to be great. He scored the winner during the week but the classy creative midfielder is currently being asked to play at full-back.
I thought the challenge of the specialist £40m winger Alejandro Garnacho might be too much for the out of position 19-year-old.
Instead, he was my man of the match, not only defending perfectly but breaking forward, linking play and leaving his opposite winger floundering in his wake.
Come the World Cup in 2030, he will be in the England squad.
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