Captain Wayne Rooney has stressed that Manchester United will have to produce their best form if they are to beat Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

The Magpies will arrive at Old Trafford having lost their last three matches in all competitions, the latest of which was suffered at the hands of local rivals Sunderland.

However, despite that negative run, Rooney expects the visitors to be "ready" to take his side on.

"They haven't picked up as many points as they would have liked to in the last few games, but it's always a tough game against Newcastle. I don't think losing to Sunderland will affect them too much," he told MUTV.

"It was a big loss for them in a derby, especially with the last-minute winner but they're coming to Old Trafford to play Manchester United, so they'll be ready for it. I think we'll have to be at our best to win the game."

When the two sides met on the same day two years ago, the Red Devils won 4-3 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Javier Hernandez.