As we descend upon Elland Road as much in need as Leeds for vastly differing reasons, Eddie Howe will have spent the week contemplating what is required to guarantee Newcastle a victory parade.
When still a top three team so late in the season Howe's search for little improvements to complete the job is understandable. And that brings us to the crux of the matter. It may initially sound harsh, certainly eyebrow-raising when United boast the best defensive stats in the Premier League, but they have something of a recurring problem at the back right now.
True, United have let in only 29 goals in 34 PL fixtures but whereas they once led the way as the meanest of the mean by some distance that has changed as goals have been leaked and habitual champions Manchester City have closed the gap to just two with 31 in their against column.
