Currently separated by just three points in the Premier League table, there is no underestimating the size of Manchester United's clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.
Both sides will resume their respective campaigns following the final international break of the season with the ambition of bolstering their chances of sealing a top-four finish and Champions League qualification for next season. United are currently third in the table on 50 points and Newcastle are fifth on 47.
Newcastle, who have not beaten United since October 2019, signed off for the recent hiatus with back-to-back wins, halting a five-game winless run in the process. Alexander Isak's 93rd minute winner against Nottingham Forest just over a fortnight ago felt like it could be a significant juncture in their quest to finish inside the top-four, meaning they will head into Sunday's showdown with confidence flowing through their veins.
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United, although they also signed off for the international break with successive wins, beating Real Betis and Fulham in the Europa League and FA Cup respectively, will be looking to get their top-four charge back on track on Tyneside after a recent wobble in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag's side have won just three of their last eight league outings and failed to win either of their last two.
United opened their March account by being brushed aside by Liverpool at Anfield, losing 7-0, before being frustrated by Southampton at Old Trafford the following Sunday. Although a goalless draw was not the worst outcome United could have wished for after losing Casemiro to a second red card in three matches in the first half, taking one point from a possible six meant it was a bad week.
It means you have to go back to February 19 for the last time the Reds scored in the league, that being the afternoon that saw them beat Leicester City 3-0 at Old Trafford. It means Sunday's clash with Newcastle, which is the first of three league fixtures in just seven days, has a significant feeling to it.
Newcastle have been a tough nut to crack on home soil this season, losing just once in all competitions at St James' Park. Furthermore, only the Reds have conceded fewer goals (eight) at home in the league this season than the Magpies' tally of nine.
That suggests that United will have to make the most of their chances when they come their way. The Reds have stuttered in front of goal in their last two games, squandering big chances when they presented themselves. The likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford both failed to capitalise on golden opportunities at 0-0 at Anfield, and had they have gone in you have to wonder how that game would have developed.
It means United can ill-afford to run the risk of going three Premier League games without scoring for the first time since February 2020. In that particular run, the Reds fired blanks against Liverpool (0-2), Burnley (0-2) and Wolves (0-0).
Such is the importance of Sunday's game and the point of the season we're now at, United can't really afford too many more slip ups. Although they remain in a very strong position, their form in recent weeks has been patchy, highlighted by their tally of just three league wins since beating Manchester City 2-1 on January 14.
Failure to score again would set some alarm bells ringing, especially if the contest does not end in a 0-0 draw. A defeat for United and a win for Tottenham Hotspur against Everton on Monday night would see the Reds fall out of the top four, albeit on goal difference.
The trip to Newcastle marks the beginning of a vitally important week and United need to ensure they start it on a positive note. If they don't, they will be under even more pressure to take maximum points off Brentford and Everton.
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