Six games could prove whether Manchester United can be Premier League title contenders next season

Sunday's trip to St. James' Park to face Newcastle United will mark the beginning of the final sprint to the Premier League finish line for Manchester United.

United will resume their campaign following the final international break of the season in the knowledge they have 12 league games to go before they can draw the curtain on Erik ten Hag's first season in charge. The Reds are currently third in the standings on 50 points, three points ahead of Sunday's opponents, highlighting the sheer size of their trip to Tyneside.

A second victory of the season over Newcastle would be significant in United's quest to achieve a top-four finish, as it would move them six points clear of one of their nearest challengers. Newcastle, however, have lost just once on their own patch this season and will be itching to get revenge on Ten Hag's side after their defeat at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final last month.

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While visiting St. James' Park is a difficult enough challenge in itself nowadays, United, who are unbeaten in each of their last seven meetings with the Magpies, have struggled to beat those in and around them in the table away from home this season. Of the clubs currently camped inside the top 12, United have only beaten Fulham away from home this season, secured thanks to a last-gasp winner from Alejandro Garnacho just prior to the World Cup.

They have lost at Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Brentford and Aston Villa, as well as being forced to settle for a point at both Chelsea and Crystal Palace. With just three more away games to come against top 12 teams between now and the end of the season, those being trips to Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and