Since the Premier League began in 1992, Manchester United boast as having the best Boxing Day record of any team in the competition.
The Red Devils have won 18 of their 21 festive fixtures, drawing twice and suffering just one defeat.
With United set to visit the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day, MM looks back at their last five Boxing Day encounters.
Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United, Old Trafford, 2014/15 season
League position on 26/12/14: 3rd, Final position: 4th
Two goals from Wayne Rooney helped United secure a festive win on Boxing Day last season and extended the Red Devils’ unbeaten run in the Premier League at the time to eight games.
Rooney began in central midfield as Louis van Gaal persisted with his unpopular 3-5-2 formation.
Robin van Persie added United’s third to extend the Reds’ winning record on Boxing Day to 11 seasons.
Hull City 2-3 Manchester United, KC Stadium, 2013/14 season
League position on 26/12/13: 7th, Final position: 7th
The Boxing Day clash during David Moyes’ short, ill-fated reign as United boss saw the Red Devils travel to Hull to take on Steve Bruce’s side.
The Tigers were two goals up after just 13 minutes, but United staged a comeback to take all three points thanks to strikes from Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney, and a James Chester own goal.
The victory was United’s third consecutive win in the league but they failed to resurrect their season in the new year and Moyes was sacked four months later.
Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle United, Old Trafford, 2012/13 season
League position on 26/12/12: 1st, Final position: 1st
Sir Alex Ferguson’s final Boxing Day match as United manager saw the Red Devils win a thrilling clash against Newcastle, thanks to a last-minute strike from Javier Hernandez.
United were 3-2 down with 20 minutes remaining when Robin van Persie equalised to give the home side hope.
Hernandez’s injury-time goal stole all three points for United who went seven points clear of rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester United 5-0 Wigan Athletic, Old Trafford, 2011/12 season
League position on 26/12/11: 2nd, Final position: 2nd
Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as United thrashed 10-man Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day in 2011.
Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia provided the other goals as the Red Devils kept the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table.
The Latics avenged the defeat the following April however as United let slip and eight point lead for City to win the Premier League on points difference.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland, Old Trafford, 2010/11 season
League position on 26/12/10:1st, Final position: 1st
A win over Sunderland on Boxing Day in 2010 put United two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Dimiar Berbatov’s 5th and 57th minutes strikes sealed the win in a game which United dominated.
The Red Devils went on to win the Premier League nine points ahead of chasers Chelsea and Manchester City.
Images courtesy of Sky Sports, via Youtube, with thanks
