Newcastle United still have more than 4,000 unsold tickets for the Manchester United game – but the match looks set to be the highest official attendance of the season.
The Magpies lost 5-0 at Leicester on Sunday but are on course for a gate of more than 48,000, which would be higher than the season opener against Arsenal.
This match has sold out 12 times since St James’ Park’s capacity was extended – including in the last two seasons – but that looks unlikely this time around as some fans continue to stay away in protest at the way the club is being run by Mike Ashley.
A much larger away following from Manchester United will contribute to a larger attendance but Newcastle fans are snapping up tickets at a greater rate for this match.
This is a traditionally well attended fixture. Only three times since 2001 has the game drawn a crowd of fewer than 52,000 – with 2011’s 0-0 draw at St James’ Park the lowest attendance since the ground was improve. That game saw 49,025 watch Alan Pardew’s United battle to a goalless draw at the end of a season in which interest was down.
In the relegation season of 2016 the gate fell to 49,673 but the last two games between the two sides have sold out.
