Chance!

Newcastle work an opening for Sean Longstaff in the box thanks to Alexander Isak's headed ball into the middle. The midfielder has two bites of the cherry from close range but sees both blocked.

Already, the quality difference in this to the earlier game is obvious. These two are zipping the ball about at pace. There's a nice flow to it.

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Each time I've been to St James' Park, Newcastle have always been so threatening from corners.

It's started lively too, as to be expected.

I'm looking at this game and where it will be decided and I think it's on the flanks today.

Marcus Rashford's first involvement sees his released down the right by a fine pass from Bruno Fernandes. He looks to wiggle between two defenders but can't quite manage it.

Kieran Trippier swings the corner in but it is poked clear of goal by a Man Utd boot. Antony senses a chance to break but he is tracked all the way and tackled.

Newcastle force an early corner to get the home fans roaring.

There remains something enticing about this fixture for any fan old enough to remember the battles between Kevin Keegan's Newcastle and Alex Ferguson's Man Utd.

Philippe Albert's lob.

Manchester United currently hold a top-four spot. Newcastle want one. We are under way and Tottenham fans are sure to be interested/concerned observers.

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

It gets better every time I come here!

Just look at all the flags and scarves! It's just amazing.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester could also go for Jesse Marsch? Or Steven Gerrard, Nathan Jones, Ralph Hasenhuttl, Frank Lampard, Patrick Vieira or Bruno Lage? Scott Parker is available again as well.

Alexander Isak has scored six goals in 10 Premier League appearances for Newcastle this season, including three in his last two.

He could become just the third Swedish player to score in 3+ consecutive Premier League appearances after Freddie Ljungberg (5 in April 2002), and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (two runs of three in 2016).

On average, Newcastle's Premier League games have been 98 minutes and 58 seconds this season, the third highest in the division.

However, the ball has been in play on average for just 51 minutes and 41 seconds, the lowest in the competition this term.

Following a run of just one win in eight Premier League games (D5 L2), Newcastle have won their last two.

The Magpies last three league victories have seen them score the winner in the 89th, 79th and 90th minute respectively.

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Rashford's playing in a team full of confidence and is doing a great job.

He's got pace and knows how to finish. He's having a fantastic season, you can't fault that and even when he's not having a particularly great game, he still scores.

When he's in the final third, you know he could score.

He's going to be the biggest threat to Newcastle today without a doubt.

No player has scored more winning goals in the Premier League this season than Marcus Rashford, with nine of his 14 strikes being the winner.

Only two Manchester United players have ever scored more winning goals in a single campaign in the competition – Cristiano Ronaldo (12 in 2007-08) and Wayne Rooney (10 in 2009-10).

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

• Newcastle United are winless in six Premier League games against Manchester United, though the past two have both been drawn. They have not gone three league games without defeat against the Red Devils since January 2012.
• Manchester United have won more Premier League away games against Newcastle than any other side (14). However, they have lost two of their past five, having lost just one of their previous 13 at St James' Park.
• On average, the Magpies' league games have been 98 minutes and 58 seconds this season, the third highest in the division. However, the ball has been in play on average for just 51 minutes and 41 seconds, the lowest in the competition.
• Manchester United have failed to score in their past two league games, as many times as in their first 24 matches this season. They last went three league games without a goal in February 2020.

Matty Renton, The Magpie Channel TV, external

In the dark days of Mike Ashley’s ownership, one shining light was French wizard Allan Saint-Maximin.

On countless occasions, he carried the team going forward single-handedly - indeed, Steve Bruce’s tactics seemed to rely on passing the ball to Maxi and seeing what he can do.

More often than not, it rescued points for Newcastle.

Now, though, his lack of defensive awareness, or willingness to track back, work hard and fit into Eddie Howe’s system, points to a potential exit this summer.

Sometimes it’s glaringly obvious he’s not up to it. Other times he’s the star of the show.

Unless he begins to perform on a consistent basis, his time at St James' Park could be coming to an end.

Read the full piece here

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Eddie Howe says Newcastle United are in the Champions League hunt "on merit" and has urged his players to "embrace the challenge".

The Magpies welcome third-placed Manchester United to St James' Park on Sunday knowing a win would see them leapfrog Tottenham, who play Everton on Monday.

Three points would also draw them level with Erik ten Hag's side and Howe admits they have come a long way from battling to avoid the drop this time last season.

"It's certainly a better place to be than the other way round," he said. "You have to try to enjoy it.

"Let's relish every moment and embrace the challenge rather than in any way fear where we are. We are where we are on merit - and we want more."

Newcastle have won their past two games after a sticky patch in late February and early March, and Howe is confident their season is back on track.

"The win [against Nottingham Forest] felt like a big moment, but so did Wolves as we had not won for a few weeks," he said.

"Those results have put us in a strong position and lifted our confidence and morale. We have got a big week to come."