<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/manchester-united/">Manchester United</a> will host Newcastle United on Friday, December 26, for Matchday 18 of the 2025-26 Premier League season, as they look to regain stability and push for a European place. With this matchup standing as the lone <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/boxing-day/">Boxing Day</a> fixture, head coach Ruben Amorim will be without two key Red Devils stars due to injury.



Without European competition, the 2025–26 campaign has fallen short of expectations for United, as the team has struggled for consistency, swinging between highs and lows that have left supporters frustrated. With a potential top-five push still within reach, the Red Devils now face an added challenge with two starters sidelined.



During Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Amorim was asked whether <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/bruno-fernandes/">Bruno Fernandes</a> and Kobbie Mainoo would be available against Newcastle, and his response was direct: “No, not for this game. They are recovering. I don’t think that is going to take a lot of time. I think Kobbie is going to return faster than Bruno, but for this game, they’re out.“



In last weekend’s match against Aston Villa, Mainoo was left out of the squad after suffering a last-minute calf injury. During the same game, captain Fernandes was forced off at halftime after picking up a soft-tissue injury in the first half, with both midfielders now joining Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt on the sidelines.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251224_WST_611780_Bruno-Mainoo_fc785882.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United" class="wp-image-610026"></figure><figcaption>Manchester United stars Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.</figcaption></figure>



While <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ruben-amorim/">Amorim</a> admitted he has a sense of the recovery timelines, he stopped short of providing a clear return date for the Portuguese playmaker. He acknowledged how Fernandes’ absence impacts the team but framed it as an opportunity for others to step up as leaders: “I think it’s impossible to replace Bruno,” Amorim said. “But we need to take the good thing—if there is a good thing—that other players now have to step up.“


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<h2>Amorim to look for options to replace both stars</h2>



With Fernandes entrenched as a starter and Mainoo typically serving as his primary alternative, United have taken two blows in the same position. Against Aston Villa, Fernandes was replaced by Lisandro Martínez, who shifted into midfield, while Amorim also handed debuts to 18-year-olds Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey.



Asked how the team plans to cope with both midfielders sidelined, Amorim expressed confidence in his squad depth: “We have other players. We maybe need to try and see different ways of playing. I think Jack Fletcher did a good job, and that’s why, when we have this opportunities to give spaces to guys like Jack and the other ones, we’ll find solutions to play.“



<h2>Why is only Manchester United vs. Newcastle United on Boxing Day?</h2>



England’s top flight has long embraced the Boxing Day tradition, with matches played on December 26 becoming a staple of the soccer calendar. However, in 2025, only Manchester United vs. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/newcastle-united/">Newcastle United</a> will be played on the day itself, while the remaining nine fixtures are spread across December 27 and 28, raising questions among fans.



Broadcasting requirements stipulate that 33 league rounds must be played on weekends each season, with only five permitted during midweek. As a result, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/report-premier-league-to-almost-break-boxing-day-tradition-in-this-season/">Boxing Day has been removed from the midweek slate, with the Premier League almost breaking historic tradition</a>, reducing it to a single fixture.

Amorim’s Manchester United suffer Boxing Day blow as two stars are injured vs. Newcastle United

Amorim’s Manchester United suffer Boxing Day blow as two stars are injured vs. Newcastle United - World Soccer Talk

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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/boxing-day/">Boxing Day</a> has long been a cherished tradition in England and other Commonwealth countries, and one that has become synonymous with soccer. However, that tradition is reportedly on the verge of being disrupted, as the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/premier-league/">Premier League</a> faces a unique scheduling situation that could almost break its Boxing Day custom.



According to The Times, only one Premier League match is expected to be played on Boxing Day, December 26, due to a congested calendar and broadcast constraints. With the 26th falling on a Friday, league officials are expected to move one of the 10 games to that date to preserve the tradition, while the remaining nine fixtures will likely be postponed to the weekend.



One of the major challenges Premier League organizers face is managing broadcast requirements and scheduling. Contracts stipulate that 33 rounds must be played on weekends each season, with only five rounds allowed during midweek, potentially pushing Boxing Day out of the midweek slate.



Additional complications have arisen this season compared to previous ones, such as the expanded formats of UEFA’s continental tournaments (Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League) as well as the FA Cup taking up more weekends. As a result, the weekend of Saturday, December 27, and Sunday, December 28, is expected to be used to fulfill broadcasting obligations.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251028_WST_599822_liverpool-anfield-logo-1200x675_dacb2642.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Liverpool fans attending to Anfield for Boxing Day game against Leicester City FC in 2024." class="wp-image-599919" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Liverpool fans attending to Anfield for Boxing Day game against Leicester City FC in 2024.</figcaption></figure>



Last season, the 2024–25 Premier League’s Matchday 18 was played largely on Boxing Day, with eight matches held on December 26 and two — Brighton vs. Brentford and Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town — the following day. This time, with even more scheduling constraints, dates and times for the Christmas fixtures have yet to be finalized, but officials appear to be edging toward a decision that could come closer than ever to breaking the Boxing Day tradition.


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<h2>Boxing Day and a historic low</h2>



First established in 1880, Boxing Day soccer predates the Premier League’s creation in 1992 and has remained a constant for more than three decades. Should only one match take place on December 26, it would mark the fewest Boxing Day games in Premier League history.



The current record low dates back to 1993, when only three matches were played on Boxing Day. Since then, the fewest number of fixtures held on that date came in 1995 and 2023, both featuring six games. If just one match is played in 2025, it would officially set a new all-time low — and a significant break from one of English football’s longest-running traditions.

Report: Premier League to almost break Boxing Day tradition this season

Report: Premier League to almost break Boxing Day tradition this season - World Soccer Talk

It’s one of the biggest days on the English football calendar. How did the results shake out on Boxing Day in the Premier League? 



Games had implications from the top of the table to the bottom, and here’s a rundown of the action from the big day.



<h2>Boxing Day 2023 Premier League Results</h2>



<h5>Newcastle 1-3 Nottingham Forest</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="715" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231226_WST_479616_BoxingDay_PremierLeague_NUFCvNFFC_b3b69a63.webp&amp;width=1280&amp;height=715" alt="Newcastle vs Forest" class="wp-image-479622" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_NUFCvNFFC.jpg 1280w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_NUFCvNFFC-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_NUFCvNFFC-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_NUFCvNFFC-768x429.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"></figure><figcaption>Matt Turner celebrates a big result for Nottingham Forest.</figcaption></figure>



A hat trick from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/nottingham-forest-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Forest</a> at St. James’ Park sent the Toon Army home disappointed in the day’s upset. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a> got an expected lead, with an Alexander Isak penalty in at the 23′ mark. But a first-half stoppage time tally from Chris Wood leveled the affair for Forest. He’d add two more early in the second half, in the 53rd and 60th minutes, to put the match out of reach. The result is a boost for Forest as it keeps them just out of the reach of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, for The Magpies, it’s a disappointing result for them as they remain on the outside looking in when it comes to European places for next season. They sit in eighth at the end of the day’s action, now five points back of fifth-place Manchester City.



<h5>Sheffield United 2-3 Luton Town</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="715" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231226_WST_479616_BoxingDay_PremierLeague_SUFCvLTFC_f3802cc6.webp&amp;width=1280&amp;height=715" alt="Sheffield United vs Luton Town" class="wp-image-479689" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_SUFCvLTFC.jpg 1280w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_SUFCvLTFC-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_SUFCvLTFC-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_SUFCvLTFC-768x429.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"></figure><figcaption>Alfie Doughty celebrates scoring his first Premier League goal</figcaption></figure>



This one was a relegation zone battle – with both sides hoping to stay in the EPL after earning promotion just this past spring. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/luton-town-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Luton</a> began the day in 18th, with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/sheffield-united-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Sheffield</a> two spots below in last place. Alfie Doughy got the away side on top early, scoring in the 17th minute to put Luton on top 1-0. However, Ali McBurnie leveled things in the 61st, getting the Blades back in it. Just a few minutes later, Anel Ahmedhodžić put Sheffield on top 2-1, but an own goal in the 77th minute tied things back up again. Remarkably, another goal in the 81st minute saw the Hatters somehow sitting on a late 3-2 lead.



When it was all said and done, the visitors would hold on and steal away from Bramall Lane with all three points. It doesn’t shake up the standings – both sides remain in the drop zone. 



However, Luton have inched closer to safety while the Blades remain in dire straits at the bottom.



<h5>Bournemouth 3-0 Fulham</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="715" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231226_WST_479616_BoxingDay_PremierLeague_AFCBvFFC_fdb85c73.webp&amp;width=1280&amp;height=715" alt="Bournemouth vs Fulham" class="wp-image-479690" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_AFCBvFFC.jpg 1280w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_AFCBvFFC-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_AFCBvFFC-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_AFCBvFFC-768x429.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"></figure><figcaption>Dominic Solanke scored a penalty for Bournemouth</figcaption></figure>



A mid-table scrap with the Cottagers visiting the Vitality Stadium on the south coast saw the home side retain their excellent recent form.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bournemouth-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Bournemouth</a> had won four of their last five matches heading into this one, and it was the Cherries snatching the lead late in the first half on a strike from Justin Kluivert that was simply too quick and powerful for Fulham keeper Bernd Leno to handle. At the 61′ mark, Bournemouth was awarded their first penalty kick in ages, and Solanke buried the chance to make it 2-0. Late in the match, Leno gave a light push to a ball boy which drew ire from the crowd, though a later apology appeared to smooth over the incident. The cherry was put on top for the home side with an absolute missile of a hit from the top of the semicircle by Luis Sinisterra to make it 3-0 in stoppage time. Both sides remain relatively comfortable in the standings, though with the loss <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fulham-tv-schedule">Fulham</a> will certainly have one eye looking over their shoulder as the new year begins.



<h5>Burnley 0-2 Liverpool</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="715" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231226_WST_479616_BoxingDay_PremierLeague_BFCvLFC_3b920f8c.webp&amp;width=1280&amp;height=715" alt="Burnley vs Liverpool" class="wp-image-479731" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_BFCvLFC.jpg 1280w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_BFCvLFC-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_BFCvLFC-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_BFCvLFC-768x429.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"></figure><figcaption>Darwin Nunez ended his goal drought</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> was visiting <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/burnley-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Burnley</a> hoping to keep pace with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> at the top of the Table. Meanwhile, the Clarets came in struggling to stay in the Premiership, sitting at 19th place. The Reds were in the holiday spirit, donning their green and white secondary kits for the occasion. Things started right as you’d expect, as a fine first-time strike from the top of the box by Darwin Núñez had Liverpool up 0-1 in just the 6th minute. It looked like the lead was doubled twenty minutes later. However, a foul call erased Liverpool’s second goal of the game. 



About ten minutes into the second half, Liverpool looked to be up 0-2 again. Harvey Elliott punched home a give-and-go effort at the near post. But it was judged after VAR that Mo Salah was in an offside position and interfered with the line of sight of the goalkeeper, nullifying the goal.



Burnley held out hope for as long as they could, but the dam finally burst in the 91st minute. Diogo Jota snuck a shot through Trafford’s legs to make it 2-0 and seal the result.



For the moment, the win slides Liverpool up to the top of the standings on 42 points. Burnley is at the other end, mired in a relegation fight and just two points ahead of last-place Sheffield. 



<h5>Man United 3-2 Aston Villa</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="715" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231226_WST_479616_BoxingDay_PremierLeague_MUFCvAVFC-1_7b72e864.webp&amp;width=1280&amp;height=715" alt="Man United vs Aston Villa" class="wp-image-479759" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_MUFCvAVFC-1.jpg 1280w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_MUFCvAVFC-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_MUFCvAVFC-1-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/BoxingDay_PremierLeague_MUFCvAVFC-1-768x429.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"></figure><figcaption>Garnacho scored a brace to help Manchester United comeback from two goals down</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">United</a> haven’t been at their best recently, losing three of their previous five (though a shakeup in ownership has lifted spirits for Red Devils fans). Aston Villa meanwhile has been flying high, in third place and only a few points from the top.



The good times for Villa kept rolling in the 22nd minute. John McGinn whipped in a free kick that nobody on either side touched, and it found its way into the far corner of the net. 



Minutes later, disaster struck the Old Trafford faithful. Leander Dendocker doubled the advantage for the visitors, flicking in a headed cross to make it 2-0. Despite some chances from United, that’s how the scoreline would look at the half.



The second half seemed to get off to a brighter start for United, as Alejandro Garnacho broke in around the keeper and slotted one in at the 47′ mark. But after a VAR review, he was offside when receiving the pass, and the goal was disallowed. 



Ten minutes later, however, in a near replication of the disallowed goal, Garnacho tapped home a cross and clawed United back into the game.



It was Garnacho to the rescue again in the 70th. The Argentine national team winger collected a loose ball from a broken play and fired it off a defender to level the proceedings.



Old Trafford turned electric when Rasmus Højlund scored off a corner in the 82nd minute to make it 3-2, completing the full comeback. 



The loss stings for Villa – keeping them in third place while a victory would have seen them level on points with leaders Liverpool. United is now bumped up to sixth, and within striking distance of a spot in Europe as the calendar turns to 2024.



Photos: IMAGO / Action Plus IMAGO / PA Images IMAGO / Pro Sports Images IMAGO / Propaganda Photo IMAGO / PA Images IMAGO / News Images

Boxing Day delivers heated Premier League action

How did the results shake out on Boxing Day in the Premier League? Here's run down of the action from the big day of games.

Boxing Day delivers heated Premier League action - World Soccer Talk

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Boxing Day delivers heated Premier League action