"We have to see them for what they are, which is a really poor side" - Chris Sutton predicts result for Manchester United vs Newcastle

BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has backed Newcastle United to defeat Manchester United in their upcoming Premier League fixture. The two sides are set to square off at Old Trafford on Monday, December 30.

The Red Devils have struggled in recent weeks, losing their last three games across competitions. They most recently suffered a 2-0 loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league. In addition, they are set to be without captain Bruno Fernandes for the Newcastle clash after he was sent off during the Wolves clash.

Manchester United are 14th in the league standings with 22 points from 18 games, 12 points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, the in-form Newcastle have won their last three league games and are in fifth place with 29 points.

Sutton wrote (via BBC Sport):

"I said before Christmas that I thought Newcastle would hit their stride and they have done exactly that. The way they are playing, they should win at Old Trafford and make it four league wins in a row. Manchester United's form is the exact opposite. I am not concerned about Amorim getting the sack but it really does not help when your goalkeeper keeps on conceding goals direct from a corner - that is under-12s stuff."

He added:

"I remember it happening when I was watching my son play when he was about 15 and he got done off a corner. I told him you would never see it happen to a professional goalkeeper, but it has happened twice in two weeks to Manchester United - first to Altay Bayindir and then Andre Onana. You could not make it up."

"I need to apologise here though, because I was far too kind to Manchester United last week when I said they would get a draw at Wolves."

He continued:

"Their fans give me so much stick on social media whenever I say they will lose that it must have got to me a bit - I have become a bit of a chicken and have put them down to get a draw when my gut feeling has been for them to lose."

"That has got to stop, because they are rubbish. That is not on Amorim because we will judge him when he has a chance to bring in his own players but, for now, we have to see them for what they are, which is a really poor side."

Sutton's Prediction: 1-2

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"The storm will finish, and the sun will rise" - Cristiano Ronaldo backs Ruben Amorim to succeed at Manchester United amid poor form

Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Ruben Amorim to reverse the club's fortunes after struggling to make an impact in his first 10 games.

Amorim replaced interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on November 11. Despite implementing his philosophy with the Red Devils, the first team have struggled to meet expectations. They are currently just eight points off the relegation zone.

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards where he defended the under-fire manager to come good. He said (via United in Focus):

“He did a fantastic job in Portugal with my Sporting. But as I said before, the Premier League is a different beast. It’s a different league. It’s the most competitive league in the world. It will be tough. The storm will continue but the storm will finish, and the sun will rise. Fingers crossed that things will be good with him and I hope the best for Manchester United because this is a club that I still love.”

Out of his 10 games in charge, Amorim has won four, drawn one, and lost five across competitions with a win percentage of 40 percent.