Nobby Solano says that Manchester United are under "much more pressure" than Newcastle United to win at St James' Park this weekend.
At 4.30pm on Sunday, Tyneside will come to a grinding halt with a sold out St James' taking in this huge encounter and pubs and clubs in the city set to be packed to the rafters to see if Eddie Howe's team can take a big step towards the Champions League. Victory on Sunday would lift Newcastle to third place in the Premier League on goal difference but Newcastle legend Solano sees a difficult afternoon for the Red Devils.
Solano told Chronicle Live: "I would say Man United - because of their history - are under more pressure than Newcastle. When it comes to who has to finish in the top four, Man United have the pressure.
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"Newcastle came into this game on the back of two good results and they needed it to stay in the chase. But Newcastle can be more relaxed than Man United.
"If they win it's another big three points. For me, Newcastle seem in the better position because of the games in hand."
The game will unfold just 35 days after Newcastle lost 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. But Solano does not feel it will have any impact on proceedings in the Premier League.
The Peru legend added: "I don't think the Carabao Cup final will be weighing on Newcastle's minds. This is a different situation.
"Man United and Newcastle both knew how important Wembley was but it's gone. Man United obliged and won the cup that day.
"But Sunday sees us into the last period of the season and it's down to points now. It is an important game for both teams and for me they are in different situations, one is under pressure, the other isn't."
With Brazil star Casemiro suspended for Sunday's game some observers feel that this gives Newcastle a slight advantage. However, Solano is wary of such an approach, and knows Man United have another match winner ready at their disposal to throw into the mix.
Former Newcastle, Leicester and Aston Villa star Solano reflected: "Casemiro is a wonderful player. He had success at Real Madrid. But no disrespect, this is Man United. If Newcastle had Bruno Guimaraes missing they would feel that.
"Man United though it is just another player and he will be replaced because they have strength in depth. Somebody like Scott McTominay just comes straight in, on the back of scoring against Spain. They just have a big strong squad. Newcastle would feel a bigger blow if they lost star players."
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