LEE GRANT will be hoping to inspire a Christmas miracle for Manchester United against Newcastle – after arriving at training dressed as Santa Claus.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will have to leave the present opening and turkey dinners until this afternoon as they reported to training at Carrington.
Lee Grant dressed up as Santa Claus heading to Man Utd trainingCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Marcus Rashford will be hoping he gets his shooting boots for ChristmasCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Kevin Keegan’s infamous rant on beating Man Utd was mocked with a roadside signCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
After Lee’s goalkeeping team-mate David De Gea gifted Watford an opener in their defeat last week, United slumped to eighth.
Newcastle come into the clash having beaten Crystal Palace 1-0 last week.
And they will have extra incentive to do the double over the Red Devils this season after a cheeky traffic sign mocking Kevin Keegan’s infamous rant about Sir Alex Ferguson was erected in the city.
It read: “I would love it… love it… if you beat the traffic!!”
Keegan’s Newcastle were challenging for the title in 1996 and he famously took aim at his rivals on the radio.
Old Trafford No3 Grant looked to be in only one in the festive spirit as the rest of the squad cut a dull look on Christmas Day.
It may have something to do with the fact they are enduring their worst Christmas in 30 YEARS – with their appalling record against teams outside the top six to blame.
The Red Devils have picked up just 25 points from their 18 Premier League games this season.
And they ensured they went into the festive period feeling blue by slipping to a 2-0 defeat against Watford – a result which has epitomised their season.
Anthony Martial looked stone-faced as he arrived at trainingCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Andreas Pereira could not crack a smile as he reported for training on Christmas dayCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Luke Shaw is feeling the winter weather as he wore a beanie and snoodCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
United have an unbeaten record against the Big Six this season – winning three and losing NONE of their five games.
In fact, the Old Trafford club are the only team to take a point against rampant league-leaders Liverpool this season.
But their record against the lesser teams is abysmal – having won just THREE of their 13 games, losing five.
Wins over rivals – and reigning champions – Manchester City and Tottenham within a four-day period are blended with awful losses at the hands of Watford and Bournemouth.
Man Utd’s record against non-Big Six sides is the reason for their awful season
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer writes off Man Utd’s season as he admits he’s already looking ahead to next term
Now, both Solskjaer and the players will be forced to endure a blue Christmas, languishing in eighth position – their joint-lowest in Premier League history on December 25.
Their woeful tally of 25 points is also their lowest since 1989 (22 pts).
Even in the atrocious season under David Moyes United earned 28 points.
Phil Jones bowled into Carrington in his yellow £165k LamborghiniCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Argentine stopper Sergio Romero will be on red alert after De Gea’s howler at WatfordCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Juan Mata arrives at training in his black Aston MartinCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
