Eddie Howe insisted he is "100%" focused on Newcastle United and their upcoming Premier League match against Leeds United amid reports linking him to the Manchester United job.

Ruben Amorim was sacked from his role as head coach at Old Trafford on Monday, with Howe mentioned among potential replacements along with Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner and former England boss Gareth Southgate.

Darren Fletcher will take charge of their midweek match at Burnley, though the club are reportedly looking to hire a caretaker manager for the rest of the season before finding a permanent head coach.

However, Howe has ruled out any possibility of a switch to Manchester, while also praising the harmony at Newcastle in recent weeks. 

"Nothing has changed from my perspective," said Howe.

"I'm 100% here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff you guys [media] write – good or bad – because it's irrelevant.

"It's about today's work and trying to prepare the team as best we can for Leeds. That will never change, from my perspective.

"With my commitment to my work and my job, as long as I'm happy and able to express myself in the best way I can to help the team, nothing will change."

JT never misses  pic.twitter.com/efgtjv995x

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 6, 2026

And when asked if he could be tempted away, Howe responded: "No, not at this current time.

"As I said, the most important thing for me is happiness in the role, the relationships I have with the people around me.

"I consider myself very lucky to have that as I think there are very few managers that have the time to build those relationships and to have the confidence and trust within each other is really important.

"If you have all of those things, you have a higher chance of being successful. I'm very happy at the moment, and hopefully that stays for a long time.”

The decision to sack Amorim came after the Red Devils' 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, which preceded a fiery press conference from the Portuguese coach.

Leeds are now unbeaten in their last seven games (W2 D5), which also includes two draws with Liverpool and a win against Chelsea.

Although Farke understands the task at hand against Newcastle, he believes his side can win points wherever they go.

"Newcastle in a home game, they always seem to play even more competitively and with the highest intensity, so it will definitely be a difficult task," said Farke.

"But we've shown also that in difficult surroundings we are capable to deliver performance, and if we deliver a performance, then we have a chance also to win points wherever we go.

"Everyone is in a good mood and we know that we have done really, really well against also top sides and big names in recent weeks."

 #NEWLEE pic.twitter.com/ziHPeecEl9

— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 5, 2026

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle United – Harvey Barnes

In his league career, Barnes has netted his joint-most league goals against Leeds (six goals), with the Newcastle winger finding the net in six of his eight starts against the Whites.

However, Barnes has not scored in the Premier League since his brace against Manchester City on November 22.

Leeds United – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin has scored six goals against Newcastle in the Premier League, only netting more against Crystal Palace (seven) in the competition.

Only Erling Haaland (19), Igor Thiago (14) and Antoine Semenyo (nine) have scored more often in the league this season than Calvert-Lewin (eight).

MATCH PREDICTION – NEWCASTLE UNITED WIN

Newcastle have won both of their last two Premier League games, last winning more in succession in April 2025 (five). At home, the Magpies are unbeaten in seven in the league (W5 D2), scoring exactly twice in all seven of these fixtures.

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 13 home league matches against promoted sides (W8 D5), winning each of the last five in a row. However, the last such team to win at St. James’ Park was Leeds in January 2021.

Leeds have won just two of their last eight Premier League away games against Newcastle (D3 L3), though they are unbeaten in their last three at St. James' Park (W1 D2).

And Newcastle have won just one of their last seven Premier League games against Leeds (D4 L2), beating them 1-0 at Elland Road in January 2022.

Although Howe has never lost a Premier League match versus Leeds in four games (W1 D3) – only facing Swansea more without losing (six games) – he has never beaten Farke in the top-flight in three attempts (D2 L1), only facing Andoni Iraola more often without winning (five games).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Newcastle United – 63.8%

Draw – 19.3%

Leeds United – 16.9%