A pair of Champions League hopefuls square off Sunday as Manchester United visit Newcastle United.
The visitors are in third place in the Premier League, two spots and just three points above hosts Newcastle. The Magpies desperately want to qualify for European football next season, and while they currently occupy a Europa League spot, it’s the Champions League that is the true goal of the rejuvenated club.
A win on Sunday for Newcastle against a key rival for one of those four spots would go a long way towards realising their dream, but United are in no mood to give an inch where that is concerned.
“[L]et’s make one thing clear, we have to play Champions League football and a club like Manchester United has to play in the Champions League,” United manager Erik ten Hag said.
“So there is no misunderstanding.”