Man Utd keeper Lee Grant arrives for training as Santa as Manchester traffic sign trolls Newcastle over Keegan rant
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.
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.
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.
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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.
