22 players who have made at least a dozen league starts (which was once the cut-off mark for a medal), but half of them are at risk of not receiving medals.
However ... United, who can win the title on Saturday night if West Brom fail to beat Middlesbrough, are understood to be ready to challenge the Football League and ask for MORE medals.
Newcastle would have to make a decision on which of the 33 players used this season should pick up winners’ gongs.
A League spokesman said: “The club will receive 21 medals, including five for non-playing staff. It’s up to the club to distribute the medals.”
The Football League claim the manager, chief administrator, physio and two other non-playing members of staff are entitled to winners’ gongs ... but only from the 22 issued.
Yet clubs can apply for dispensation for additional medals, with a precedent set by Sunderland when Shay Given was given a medal in 1996.
And how ironic THAT was! He won a winners medal with the Mackems ... and nowt with the Toon.