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Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can equal Sir Matt Busby's record by winning his opening four games with a victory this evening, while Rafa Benitez will simply be hoping his side can move further away from the relegation zone. Team news to follow. Kick-off is at 8pm.

Premier League / Matchday 21
St James' Park / 02.01.2019
Live
Live Updates
Kevin Coulson
ByKevin Coulson

Updated 02/01/2019 at 21:57 GMT

13'
SAVE! And Newcastle demonstrate how dangerous they can be on the break. Herrera fails to deal with a punt forward and Atsu pounces, his beautiful first touch setting him up for a shot on the left side of the penalty area but he fails to generate enough power in his effort to beat De Gea.
12'
Newcastle are sitting deep, inviting pressure from the visitors and hoping to break quickly and catch Man United short in defence.
11'
NO FOUL! Rashford looks to run onto a clever through-pass down the channel but is barged over by Lascelles on the edge of the penalty area. No free-kick, however.
10'
SHOT! Rashford curls a wicked shot over the wall, aiming to catch Dubravka out at his near post. The Newcastle goalkeeper is fully stretched to push it wide, however. Decent effort though.
9'
Newcastle have another free-kick in a dangerous position to contend with after Martial goes down.
7'
Pogba wins a cheap free-kick on the left touchline but the resulting set-piece comes to nothing. The Frenchman, as he has been in recent games, is providing an attacking threat for United.
6'
Newcastle's trusty regular Diame misplaces a forward pass in midfield, prompting groans of frustration from the home supporters.
4'
Pogba stands up a cross into the Newcastle penalty area but it's catching practice for Dubravka.
3'
A fantastic atmosphere at St James' Park with both set of supporters in great voice. There has been some absolutely cracking games played between these sides over the years, let's hope for more entertainment tonight.
1st Half
1'
Live comment icon
KICK-OFF! Manchester United get the ball rolling.
19:55
Just over two weeks ago, Manchester United were humiliated by Liverpool in Jose Mourinho's last game at the club. The Red Devils had no plan, the changing room was in turmoil and goals were scarce.
Fast forward to January 2 and United are hoping to win their fourth consecutive game under Solskjaer, having scored 12 in their last three.
This is the Norwegian's biggest test since his appointment, however. How will his side fair out? Kick-off is NEXT!
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19:50
Probably United's biggest test under Solskjaer, Newcastle will be set up to nullify the visitors' attacking threat and make the most of opportunities when they come along. Corners and free-kicks represent Newcastle's best chance of scoring this evening: The Red Devils have conceded an eye-watering 14 league goals from set-pieces this season, including in each of the last three games.
19:45
Solskjaer is vying to become only the second manager in United's history to win his first four league games in charge, emulating Matt Busby in 1946.
United could score three goals or more in four consecutive Premier League fixtures for the first time since August to September 2011, though Newcastle should be more defensively sound than Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth because of Rafa's tactics.
19:40
Solskjaer on his starting line-up: "Ash [Young] has played a lot lately, I decided early on that we needed to give Antonio a proper training period and now he is ready to play again. Eric is suspended, Phil back in. Jesse played every minute, he has worked really hard, his work rate is phenomenal but today Juan takes that position.
"He [Sanchez] wanted to start Bournemouth but he wasn't ready then, now he is, hopefully we can put him on, hopefully we won't need to but hopefully we can give him some minutes."
19:35
Newcastle start the game three points above the relegation zone, having won only one of their last seven matches.
St James' Park hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies this season: they have already lost seven league matches here.
But Benitez's side won this fixture last season, Matt Ritchie scoring the only goal of the game.
19:30
Benitez: "Someone has to win some of these games, you know it will be tough.
"The target will be at the end of January if we are out of the bottom three, then that will be good news."
picture

Image credit: PA Sport

19:25
SOLSKJAER MAKES THREE CHANGES
Antonio Valencia is a surprise start for United and takes the captaincy from Ashley Young at right-back. Phil Jones replaces the suspended Eric Bailly at centre-back while Juan Mata gets the nod ahead of Jesse Lingard in midfield.
Marcus Rashford starts in attack, with Romelu Lukaku having to settle for a place on the bench alongside Alexis Sanchez, who has not featured since November.
picture

Image credit: Reuters

19:22
ONE CHANGE FOR NEWCASTLE
Fabian Schar comes into the starting XI to replace the injured Federico Fernandez, as Benitez makes just the one change from the side that drew 1-1 at Watford at the weekend.
19:19
MAN UTD TEAM NEWS
Starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Lindelof, Shaw, Herrera, Matic, Mata, Pogba, Martial, Rashford.
Subs: Romero, Young, Darmian, Fred, Lingard, Sanchez, Lukaku.
19:17
NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS
Starting XI: Dubravka, Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Diame, Atsu, Perez, Rondon.
Subs: Woodman, Lejuene, Manquillo, Shelvey, Kenedy, Muto, Joselu.