There’s just one Premier League fixture in the traditional Boxing Day slot this year, as the Magpies make their way to Old Trafford for what should be an intense clash.
Newcastle claimed a hard-fought point against Chelsea last time out despite leading 2-0 at half-time. Howe will be looking for a similar performance against United, who dropped to seventh place at the weekend.
Injury updates
Howe first opened up on injuries ahead of the visit in a long list that includes William Osula, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Nick Pope, Dan Burn and Tino Livramento.
"There is quite a bit of information on Tino (Livramento), and we're waiting to get full clarification. We are hoping it's not serious at all, and he can resume training quite quickly, but before sort of confirming that, we want to be sure that we are right. Hopefully it's good news.
"There's a chance (Pope is back in the squad). He hasn't trained yet, I hope that he might train today, so let's see how he does.
"Sven (Botman) would be in the category of a group of players that are doing well, and again, we hope to get him back pretty soon. When that day is, I am not 100% sure. He hasn't trained with the group yet. But potentially good news, he is not too far away."
Newcastle are working on game management
Newcastle sit in 11th after the draw with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon after Howe's side collapsed thanks to goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro despite an impressive first half performance. Howe next admitted that his side are working hard on game management behind the scenes.
"That is something we are working continually on. I think you work on all aspects of your game. There's sort of the game management stuff, but the general stuff of football coaching doesn't change regardless of time.
"They (Chelsea) scored a free kick from a range where we are a little bit disappointed with some of the details that we could have done better than the actual free kick.
"And then the second goal from the goalkeeper's kick, we made a couple of errors again. They are things we need to focus on, timing of the goals is irrelevant, really. It's more about how they are constructed."
Did Gordon deserve a penalty?
Newcastle thought they should have had a penalty for a foul by Trevoh Chalobah on Anthony Gordon during the clash with Chelsea. Howe has revealed that the club have reached out to the PGMOL over not being handed a spot kick.
"Yes, we will be seeking clarification (from PGMOL) and those calls have already gone in, not from me personally but from the club. We just want to know the thought process behind the decisions.
"I wouldn't want to train them to deliver that kind of challenges in the box because you are going to give the referees a decision to make. I think one of the arts of defending is not to put yourself in that position. I thought, and I still do, it was a clear penalty having reviewed it, and I have not changed my mind."