Newcastle United easily overcame Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League on Monday thanks to early headed goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton at Old Trafford.
With five losses in their last six league games, Manchester United languish 14th in the standings on 19 points, their worst placing to end a calendar year since they were 15th in 1989. Newcastle are fifth on 32 points.
Manchester United conceded 18 goals in all competitions in December, tying the record for their most in a month from March 1964.
Isak got the visitors on the scoresheet in the fourth minute when he leapt to head home a pinpoint cross from Lewis Hall with both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez failing to pick him up.
They doubled their lead in the 19th minute with Anthony Gordon sending in a cross that Joelinton headed in and that proved enough on the night to seal a fourth successive league victory for Eddie Howe’s side.