Five classic Premier League encounters between Manchester United and Newcastle United

Much has changed since those heady early Premier League years, but the rivalry remains strong as the sides prepare to clash at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall takes a trip down memory lane, casting his eye over five memorable battles between the sides.

Newcastle 0-1 Manchester United (March 1996)

On a tense Monday night at St James’ Park, Manchester United secured a seminal victory in the 1995-96 title race.

Eric Cantona’s second-half goal proved decisive in a match that would become a defining moment in United’s charge towards an eventual league and FA Cup double.

At the time, Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle were the big challengers in English football, playing an exhilarating brand of attacking football that had captured the imagination of fans.

In January 1996, they held a seemingly unassailable 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League but by early March, that advantage had been cut to four and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side showed their title pedigree through Cantona’s match-winning volley.

Newcastle 5-0 Manchester United (October 1996)

This was a glorious day for Magpies fans but long-suffering supporters would feel this emphatic victory was just a few months too late.

They could have used this kind of win the previous season but nevertheless, it was an occasion to savour for the Geordie nation.

Darren Peacock opened the scoring with a header and David Ginola curled in a stunning second before Les Ferdinand headed in a third off the crossbar.

Hometown hero Alan Shearer tucked away a rebound to make it 4-0 but Newcastle saved their best goal until last as defender Philippe Albert nonchalantly chipped the ball over Peter Schmeichel for a sublime fifth.

Despite the humiliation, Ferguson’s United soon lifted themselves off the canvas and went on to claim the Premier League title – again.

Newcastle 4-3 Manchester United (September 2001)

Alan Shearer scored an 82nd-minute winner as Bobby Robson won his 100th match in charge of Newcastle.

Laurent Robert put the Magpies ahead with a wonderful free-kick before Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised for Manchester United.

Rob Lee embarrassed visiting goalkeeper Fabian Barthez with a speculative effort and defender Nikos Dabizas added a third to give Newcastle a 3-1 lead.

But Ryan Giggs pulled a goal back and then Juan Sebastian Veron struck a delightful right-footed volley to level the match before Shearer scored with a deflected winner.

Manchester United captain Roy Keane was sent off for unsporting conduct near the end and Paul Scholes came almighty close to another equaliser but Newcastle held on to claim all three points.

Newcastle 2-6 Manchester United (April 2003)

Master craftsman Paul Scholes took centre stage in this match with a hat-trick, which completed a double for Ferguson’s men over the Magpies following a 5-3 win at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

Newcastle led through Jermaine Jenas but United ran amok to lead 4-1 at the break.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it 1-1 before Scholes scored twice and Ryan Giggs added a fourth to leave Newcastle stunned.

Scholes completed a hat-trick in the second half and Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed an obligatory goal from the penalty spot before a late Shola Ameobi strike – yet Ferguson’s side soon regained the title from Arsenal.

Manchester United 6-0 Newcastle (January 2008)

Cristiano Ronaldo's first hat-trick for Manchester United sent them to the Premier League summit as they destroyed managerless Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese star’s free-kick broke the deadlock after 49 minutes and Carlos Tevez quickly tapped in a second.

Ronaldo capped a stunning four-man move for the third and Rio Ferdinand volleyed in a fourth after 85 minutes.

He sealed his treble via a deflection, and Newcastle's Alan Smith saw red for dissent after Tevez's disputed sixth.

Newcastle's fans, stunned by Harry Redknapp's refusal to succeed sacked Sam Allardyce, paraded banners calling for the appointment of Alan Shearer.

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