Pep Guardiola quickly dismissed talk of winning the treble this week when asked if he could genuinely add the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League to his CV.
The question came deep in the bowels of Bristol's Ashton Gate stadium with Guardiola name checking Newcastle before swiftly making his excuses and leaving the room as posers on the treble intensified. Pep stood up and insisted he'd promised Nigel Pearson he'd share a bottle of red wine with him.
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The Etihad Stadium has not been kind to Newcastle down the years and even after only suffering two losses this term, United are on their worst run of the season. They have picked up just one win since Boxing Day in the Premier League and have ended interest in both domestic cups, albeit at Wembley on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final.
Lee Ryder's prediction
The confidence that flowed throughout Eddie Howe's side before the World Cup has been replaced with uncertainty and caution around the field. Neither Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak managed many forays into the penalty area at Wembley and Newcastle were unable to have an impact against Manchester United.
It won't get much easier against Man City and as if Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez weren't enough to worry about, England's Phil Foden has recovered from bad form and comes into this game running hot with three goals in his last two matches. A draw would be a terrific result for Newcastle here but only Everton have managed that this season at Eastlands.
It's hard to see past another defeat here for Newcastle unfortunately.
Referee
Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Last seen reffing the Magpies against Leeds on New Year's Eve. He booked Kieran Trippier and Bruno that day.
Betting
Newcastle have had longer odds than 6/1 coming to the Etihad but are still underdogs. City are priced up at 4/9 to get the points with Bet 365 while the draw is 7/2.
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