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Can Manchester United continue Boxing Day dominance?

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring during Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on December 26, 2014
Image: A Wayne Rooney brace sealed United's 11th Boxing Day win against Newcastle in 2014

Manchester United head to Stoke City on Saturday looking to extend their run of 11 consecutive wins on Boxing Day.

United are the undisputed kings of Boxing Day, winning 18, drawing two and losing just one of their 21 matches, picking up an average 2.67 points per game.

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You have to go back to Boxing Day 2002 for the last time the Red Devils failed to win, as Alen Boksic, Szilard Nemeth and Joseph-Desire Job earned Middlesbrough a famous 3-1 victory at the Riverside Stadium - Ryan Giggs scoring a consolation for the visitors.

Since then United haven't disappointed, routinely providing their fans with some extra festive cheer, churning out 11 straight wins, scoring an average of three goals a game.

Man Utd's 11-game Boxing Day streak

Season Fixture
2014/15 Man Utd 3-1 Newcastle
2013/14 Hull 2-3 Man Utd
2012/13 Man Utd 4-3 Newcastle
2011/12 Man Utd 5-0 Wigan
2010/11 Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland
2009/10 N/A
2008/09 Stoke 0-1 Man Utd
2007/08 Sunderland 0-4 Man Utd
2006/07 Man Utd 3-1 Wigan
2005/06 Man Utd 3-0 West Brom
2004/05 Man Utd 2-0 Bolton
2003/04 Man Utd 3-2 Everton

United are head and shoulders clear of the next team with the most consecutive Boxing Day wins, with Arsenal stringing seven together between 2000 and 2006, before a goalless draw at Portsmouth in 2007 brought their run to an end.

Nicky Butt and Kleberson celebrate goal in match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on December 26, 2003
Image: United's 11-win Boxing Day streak started against Everton in 2003, with Nicky Butt and Kleberson on the scoresheet

United's Boxing Day record has arguably never faced a sterner test, though, with Louis van Gaal's side travelling to the Potteries lacking in confidence and form.

The Red Devils make the hour-long trip south looking to bring an end to a run of six games in all competitions without a win, a sequence that has seen them eliminated from the Champions League and fall out of the Premier League top four.

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HULL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26:  Wayne Rooney (R) of Manchester United shoots and scores his sides second goal during the Barclays Premier League match betwee
Image: Wayne Rooney's wonder-strike saw United comeback from two goals down to claim 2013 win at Hull

Add that to the fact they have just a single victory to their name from their previous six trips on the road and suddenly the odds appear stacked against them.

But history suggests United shouldn't be daunted by Saturday's clash. Winning at the Britannia on Boxing Day is something they have done in the past, with a late Carlos Tevez strike sealing a 1-0 win in this fixture back in 2008.

Manchester United's Argentinian player Carlos Tevez (front) celebrates his goal against Stoke City with Paul Scholes of Manchester United  during a Premier
Image: Carlos Tevez's late strike sealed United's last Boxing Day win at Stoke

However, it's worth noting captain Wayne Rooney is the only surviving member from that victory seven years ago. Can he guide his side to a 12th straight win?

Read more festive-themed stats in Martin Tyler's Christmas and Boxing Day column.

Watch Stoke v Man Utd live on Boxing Day, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD.

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