'We try and attack the game', insists Howe ahead of Red Devils trip | OneFootball

The Magpies travel to Old Trafford for their final fixture of 2024 and target a fourth consecutive Premier League victory after convincing wins against Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Aston Villa in recent weeks.

Situated in fifth place of the English top-flight, Howe will be hopeful his side can continue their bright form of late after winning their last four competitive matches, scoring a total of 14 goals in the process, as they target a first league win at Old Trafford since December 2013.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from the pre-match media briefing, held at St. James' Park on Boxing Day following the conclusion of United's 3-0 win against Aston Villa.

On the Magpies' momentum ahead of facing Man United, who have lost their last three matches in all competitions:

"They're very difficult fixtures regardless of when you go but I think, for us, we try and attack the game as we have done in recent weeks.

"We've had really good preparations to our games and the players seem to be enjoying themselves, entering the game with the right frame of mind to play.

"We've got to try and hit that sweet spot again without any distractions. I'm sure the players will be ready for the games."

On the sharing of goals amongst the squad:

"I think when we do play at our best, we do share the goals around. I don't think there's ever been one consistent source and we don't want there to be because then it's easier to stop.

"It's about the team functioning and enabling everyone to be creative and productive so you're seeing different players contributing in different games. I want goals from a huge range of different players and I think we're seeing that, which is great for us."

On Alexander Isak, with the Swedish striker aiming to score in his sixth consecutive Premier League game:

"My biggest thing with Alex is I'm evaluating his game on a daily basis and I want to try and push him on for more.

"His game is in a good place at the moment but my job is to not sit back and appreciate that. My job is to try and find areas that he can improve, push him towards that and never stop pushing him.

"He has all the ingredients in there but football never stops changing and evolving and he needs to evolve and change with it."

On Martin Dúbravka, who has recorded three consecutive Premier League clean sheets:

"(I'm) very pleased with Martin. It's never easy to come in for a goalkeeper in any situation when you haven't played for a while because it's about rhythm and confidence.

"Martin has picked it up from minute one. He's distributed the ball really well. That's been a huge thing in his game that has always been there and, against Aston Villa, you think back to a number of aerial claims he's taken under pressure, dealing with that aspect really well too. I've been very pleased with him.

"He works really hard with the goalkeeping coaches and his training. I see Martin at his maximum level everyday and because of that training, attitude and when he does get to come into the team, he can hit the ground running as he has."

On the unpredictability of this season's Premier League campaign:

"This year seems unpredictable. In terms of results, you see Chelsea lose (against Fulham) and there's upsets most weeks.

"I think that's great for the Premier League. You never quite know what is going to happen, that unpredictability brings excitement and I think the challenge for us is to be a team that is consistent and be a team that can produce results where not expected.

"I think we're going into a run of fixtures now which will really test us but it'll probably be one of the deciding factors in where we finish. We are going to some tough away grounds but we look forward to those and try to continue our good form."